Russia's RS-28 Sarmat: The Missile That Can Strike Over The Poles, Outrange US And China
As tensions escalate between the United States and Russia, the spotlight is back on one of the deadliest weapons in Russia's nuclear arsenal, the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), dubbed 'Satan 2' by NATO. The missile, a cornerstone of Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategic deterrence doctrine, is designed to outmatch US and Chinese missile systems in both range and payload capacity.
The resurfaced interest follows reports that the US has deployed two nuclear submarines near Russian waters, prompting Moscow to flex its own strategic capabilities. Russian officials have repeatedly touted the Sarmat as a weapon that renders Western defence systems obsolete.
What Makes RS-28 Sarmat So Dangerous?
The Sarmat is a super-heavy, liquid-fueled ICBM developed by Russia's Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau. Intended to replace the Soviet-era R-36M (SS-18 Satan), it took shape as a project in the early 2000s, with its first successful test conducted on April 20, 2022.
One of the most formidable aspects of this missile is its range, estimated at up to 18,000 kms, which allows it to strike virtually any point on Earth, including targets across the North and South Poles. This unique capability has led to concerns in Western military circles about the difficulty of intercepting such a trajectory.
In terms of physical dimensions, the RS-28 weighs 208 tonnes and measures 35 metres in length. But what truly sets it apart is its payload capacity. The missile can carry 10 to 15 nuclear warheads through its Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) system. Some variants are expected to be equipped with Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, capable of maneuvering mid-flight to evade missile defence shields.
Its speed is estimated at over Mach 20, placing it well within the hypersonic category, which further complicates detection and interception efforts by traditional radar and satellite-based early warning systems.
Strategic Implications
Russia's deployment of the RS-28 Sarmat is widely interpreted as a direct challenge to US and NATO missile capabilities. It significantly outperforms the American LGM-30G Minuteman III (with a range of around 13,000 km) and China's DF-41 (range: 12,000–15,000 km), particularly in terms of both distance and payload.
The missile is designed with a primary focus on deterrence against the US and NATO, but analysts believe it also represents a threat to countries such as Ukraine, Japan, and Australia, given its role within Russia's broader nuclear doctrine.
Strengths vs Weaknesses
Strengths
Weaknesses
While Russia projects the RS-28 Sarmat as a 'game-changer" in global strategic balance, its deployment also signals a renewed arms race in long-range nuclear missile technology.
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August 04, 2025, 13:03 IST
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