Russian State Rocket Center, Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau, presented the first images of a new weapon – a Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, nicknamed Satan-2.

"In accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation 'On the state defense order for 2010 and the planning period of 2012-2013 JSC,’ SRC Makeyev was instructed to begin the development of the Sarmat missile," as indicated on the Design Bureau's website.

The report states that the public contract for the development of the Sarmat was signed in June 2011.

"The strategic missile system, Sarmat, is being created to guarantee the effective implementation of nuclear deterrence by the strategic forces of Russia," the Rocket Center explained.

It is assumed that the RS-28 Sarmat rockets will replace the R-36m/ SS-18  Voevoda rockets. It is expected that they will be put into service in 2018.

Earlier the Daily Telegraph published a comment by a senior research fellow of the British Royal United Services Institute, Igor Sutyagi.  

“The SS-18 (Voevoda) is more than 30 years old. It is past its sell-by date. So even if you had the warmest relations in the world with NATO you would want to update your missiles. But (President) Putin of course is happy for it to be portrayed as an aggressive move. He wants to stress his unpredictability and his importance.”  Sutyagin said in the interview.

  Russia, Weapons

Comments