On October 7, the Russian defense ministry announced that the Krasmash JSC is manufacturing the first serial Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles. These missiles are poised to be deployed for active service shortly.
The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was developed at the Makeyev State Rocket Center, with manufacturing carried out at the Krasmash plant. Both of these enterprises operate under the umbrella of Roscosmos.
Russian Defense Industry said that the company is currently producing the first mass-produced missiles scheduled to be deployed for combat duty very soon.
The ministry mentioned that construction, installation, and commissioning work on the silo launchers and the command post units and systems are at the final stages in the designated formation’s position area.
The Russian Defense Minister, General Sergei Shoigu, while visiting Krasmash JSC, received a comprehensive report from the company’s management regarding the progress in fulfilling contracts for the production of the Sarmat complex.
At present, the first serial Sarmat(RS-28/SS-X-30) ICBMs are being manufactured at JSC Krasmash, which will be put on combat duty in the very near future.
📹MoD RF(📅Oct. 7)https://t.co/I8m7n7YrXH pic.twitter.com/sPEnTfCgEQ— Massimo Frantarelli (@MrFrantarelli) October 7, 2023
The Russian Ministry of Defense also made public a video showcasing General Sergei Shoigu’s visit, during which he inspected the production workshops of the enterprise and the technological process of serial production of the Sarmat.
The management said that the primary focus is to modernize the Strategic Missile Forces by deploying the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles, which will serve as a critical foundation for Russia’s strategic nuclear capabilities on the ground, thus significantly enhancing the nation’s defense capabilities.
The Russian Defense minister also reiterated that the current objective is to equip the first missile regiment with the Sarmat complex at the main facility of the Strategic Missile Forces. He stressed that this deployment for combat duty is under the directive from the Russian Federation President.
The Expansion Of Production Capacity
The Sarmat missile, designed for deployment in underground silos, is reported by Russian authorities to be able to transport a maximum of 15 nuclear warheads. In contrast, the assessment from the United States military suggests that its carrying capacity may be up to 10 warheads.
Known to NATO military allies under the codename “Satan,” the Sarmat missile’s short initial launch phase minimizes the window for surveillance systems to track its takeoff.
This massive missile, weighing over 200 tonnes and boasting an impressive range of approximately 18,000 kilometers (equivalent to 11,000 miles), was specifically developed to replace Russia’s aging inventory of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from the 1980s.
In April 2022, Russia conducted a test firing of the Sarmat missile in the Plesetsk region, located roughly 800 kilometers (almost 500 miles) north of Moscow. These launched missiles successfully struck targets on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s far eastern region.
During a visit to Krasmash JSC by the Minister of Defense of Russia, the General Director of Krasmash JSC, responsible for producing the Sarmat strategic missile system, disclosed the company’s efforts to expand its production capacity.
The General Director of Krasmash JSC shared updates regarding expanding the enterprise’s production capacity. This includes installing modern technological equipment and the upcoming commissioning of a new production facility for machining production, covering an area of 18,300 square meters.
The facility will accommodate many workstations, all equipped in line with the latest industry standards.
“The head of the enterprise said that the company pays great attention to the training of qualified personnel and reported on a large number of young people with good education and qualifications who have recently come to the plant,” the ministry said.
Russian commentators have frequently highlighted this missile as a severe threat to Western nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stated that the missile would force Russia’s adversaries to “think twice” about their threats.
According to experts’ assessments, the RS-28 Sarmat can deliver a Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRVed) warhead weighing up to 10 tonnes to any global destination, including routes over the North and South Poles.
Set to become the cornerstone of the nation’s silo-based strategic deterrent, the Sarmat boasts an extraordinary range and devastating destructive capabilities, earning its reputation as one of the most formidable nuclear missiles globally.
However, there is a lingering uncertainty surrounding the precise timeline for Moscow’s deployment of these first mass-produced Sarmat missiles, intended for assignment to combat duty.
