Russia test-fires Avangard Hypersonic missile

MOSCOW, Russia – The Kremlin has test-fired Avangard hypersonic missile from the Dombarovskiy missile base in the southern Ural Mountains. The missile which is faster than any cruise missile is capable of reaching anywhere in the world, the Russians have said.

Defence experts say the hypersonic missle can travel 27 times faster than the speed of sound. Speaking at the defence ministry control room, President Vladimir Putin said the missle is invulnerable to U.S defence and that it will be deployed next year.

According to him, Russia is the first in the world to receive this new type of strategic weapon and this will reliably ensure the security of our state and of our people for decades to come. “This is a wonderful, excellent gift for the country for the New Year,” Tass quotes Putin as saying.

“The Avangard is invulnerable to intercept by any existing and prospective missile defense means of the potential adversary,” Putin said after the test, adding that the new weapon will enter service next year with the military’s Strategic Missile Forces.

The Avangard hypersonic system was tested from the Dombarovsky military airbase in southwest Russia.

According to the Kremlin, the weapon successfully hit a designated practice target on the Kura shooting range on Kamchatka, 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) away.