At the end of December in the Russian Strategic Missile Forces went on duty the first hypersonic complex "Avangard". This weapon is characterized by high performance and extensive combat capabilities, and therefore naturally attracted the attention of the foreign press. Respectively, the beginning of his combat duty was the occasion for a new wave of publications in foreign media.
NYT estimates
One of the first on the news from Russia responded the American newspaper The New York Times. Already 27 December, it published an article «Russia Deploys Hypersonic Weapon, Potentially Renewing Arms Race», which he attempted to predict the consequences of the emergence of combat-ready "Vanguard".
According to NYT, data on the presence of a "vanguard" of the system and its highest possibilities are not only from official Russian sources. Unnamed US officials have also spoken of the existence of such weapons. Furthermore, they warn, that the complex with the characteristics of this level will significantly increase the potential of Russian strategic forces, already sufficiently powerful.
However, newspaper cites the opinion, according to which a "vanguard" is not associated special risks. She quoted the executive director of the Association arms control advocates in the US Daryl J.. Kimballa, which indicates, that Russia deployed more than a few dozen of the "vanguard". Given the existence of other strategic armament mass number hypersonic such systems can significantly increase the risk to US.
The New York Times sees in the "Vanguard" is not only a shock system, but also a political tool. In February of the following year completed the validity of START-III treaty, and Moscow wants to extend it or replace with a new similar agreement. Washington does not want to sign a new bilateral agreement - in its interest in the inclusion of new participants START, such as China. However, Beijing is not going to willingly accept any restrictions on the part of the SNF.
In such a situation, the system "Vanguard" and other advanced weapons can be an instrument of pressure on the US. Taking advantage of its superiority in hypersonic technology, Russia may force Washington to start negotiations to extend or replace the current START-III. With all of this, complex "Avangard" is hardly seen in Russia as a first step in a new arms race.
FAZ doubts
2 January opinion on the "Vanguard" has published the German edition of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (DOES). An article on this topic called «Der Hype um Putins" Wunderwaffe "» - «buzz surrounding the miracle weapon of Putin".
Considering the new Russian weapons, the author suggests the German edition, that the technological superiority of the "Vanguard" unpleasant for Western, but the real benefit of these weapons is exaggerated. Russia and the United States already have large nuclear arsenals - START-III allows them to hold on a gross basis before 1550 nuclear warheads. All these weapons are capable of destroying the whole world, and several times. In this situation, the US missile defense and Russia's hypersonic systems fundamentally change nothing.
FAZ quotes a German expert on rocketry Markus Schiller. He considers, that the main effect of "Vanguard" is related to psychology. Russia is playing with the fears of foreign countries, a hypersonic weapon capable of exerting psychological pressure. In an emergency, this pressure can influence decisions.
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Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung openly questioned the value of a special combat complex "Avangard". Long-term military benefits, According to the newspaper, can not expect. At best, such a system will contribute to the beginning of new negotiations in the field of arms control. maybe, this time for them to attract new members. The alternative to such a development could become a new arms race, which will involve the US, Russia and, perhaps, China.
WT studies
More thoroughly the theme complex "Avangard" has studied the American edition of The Washington Post. His article on the subject titled «Russia's hypersonic hype may not match reality» out 5 January. The authors spoke with US and foreign experts and lead a very interesting quote.
WT is reminiscent of the news and reports of recent years. Regular reports on progress in the field of hypersonic weapons and soon admission of such systems on combat duty in several countries, that will have to change the alignment of forces in the world. However, the newspaper offers not panic about it and pay attention to alternative views.
Like other media, WT indicates, that the complex "Avangard" has not yet been tested in real combat conditions, and it is difficult to assess its capabilities. Besides, newspaper doubts, that such a system will give the Russian strategic nuclear forces any new features over the existing. Apparently, and without the "Vanguard" nuclear forces will be able to break through the US missile defense system is guaranteed and strike.
WT quoted expert on rocketry Chief Scientific Officer IMEMO Alexander Savelyev. He considers, that the development of hypersonic areas directly related to the concerns of Moscow for further improving the US missile defense. To combat this threat requires a fundamentally new system shock, capable of carrying out the defense breakthrough.
According to A. Saveliev, "Avangard", wherein no high accuracy of shooting, It should not be considered as a means of the first pin disarming. In the presence of a relatively powerful warhead, from 800 CT to 2 mt, "Vanguard" will not be able to implement the doctrine of "escalation to de-escalate". Overly powerful blow to the enemy may trigger its active response.
Even more interesting quotes a visiting researcher George Washington University's Elliott School of International Relation Ivan Elriha. He blames the media in an extremely positive attitude to projects of hypersonic weapons and the lack of healthy skepticism. Press agrees with the opinions and conclusions of the military departments and defense industry, without taking into account the extreme difficulty of creating hypersonic complexes with the desired characteristics of the relationship.
NRK almost admires
The Norwegian edition of NRK does not agree with the American specialist, and sees in the "vanguard" real threat. Такое мнение высказано в статье «New Russian weapons probably can not be stopped" ("Seem to be, that new Russian weapons will not stop ") from 2 January.
Considering the "Vanguard", Norwegian edition brings the already known information and news about the performance characteristics and capabilities expected. Besides, present statements of different experts and draws conclusions.
So, Specialist Naval Academy Norway Ina Holst-Pedersen Quam doubt the technical specifications of "Vanguard". Furthermore, complex belongs to the entire category of such "dubious" research. According to the expert, Moscow deliberately exaggerates the parameters of its new weapons. The purpose of this, probably, It is to strengthen the authority of Russian containment systems. Also there is a nice "bonus" - foreign experts becomes more difficult to determine the real situation.
However, NRK cited another view, whereby complex "Vanguard" really has an outstanding performance characteristics and can threaten third countries. Also, the publication draws attention to the ability to break through the complex hypersonic missile. this kind existing American systems can capture high-speed ballistic targets with a predictable trajectory. "Vanguard" in-flight maneuvers, which is extremely difficult to defeat him.
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NRK also reminded, that the development of hypersonic warhead is associated with the decision of a number of complex scientific and engineering problems. If Russia really could create a "Vanguard", showing claimed characteristics, that she was able to deal with these challenges.
Different opinions
Foreign media have not yet come to a consensus about the Russian hypersonic complex "Avangard", and it is unlikely it will ever. Nevertheless, foreign publications traced several major trends.
Firstly, is some doubt as to the possibility of creating a hypersonic weapon with all the stated characteristics and capabilities. Also, there is the view of the limited usefulness of the new weapons, which allegedly does not affect the existing balance of forces. However, some publications have no doubt, the new Russian weapon does high performance and dangerous for a potential enemy.
It should be recalled, that the reason for the recent publications in foreign media was the news about the beginning of alerting complex "Avangard". In this way, despite doubts, criticism, charges and TD, Russia has brought one of the most ambitious projects of modern times up to full operation. This fact gives the foreign critical statements of a very specific kind of. Meanwhile, the system "Vanguard" has taken over the service and ensures the safety of the country.
Kirill Ryabov
