Putin hails successful test of new hypersonic missile

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01:00

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hailed final tests of a hypersonic missile, which he earlier said would render existing missile defense systems obsolete.

"On my instructions, the Ministry of Defense prepared and conducted a final test of this system. This has just been completed with absolute success," Putin said during a televised meeting with members of the government.

"Russia has a new type of strategic weapon," he said, adding that the intercontinental "Avangard" system would be ready for use from 2019.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an annual end-of-year news conference at Moscow's World Trade Centre, Russia, December 20, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Kremlin told Russian news agencies the test had taken place in far eastern Kamchatka while Putin was at the national defense control center.

Putin unveiled features of the Avangard during his annual address in March, which he said would be part of a new generation of "invincible" weaponry.

The hypersonic missile could fly at 20 times the speed of sound and maneuver up and down, meaning it could breach defense systems, he said at the time.

The final test comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to pull out of a key Cold War-era nuclear weapons pact, the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).

Putin has laid out plans to develop missiles banned under the deal if the United States abandons it.

(Top image: Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government in Moscow, Russia, December 26, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP