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Russia’s defense chief reports on successful trials of advanced weapon systems

The report came after President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to the Federal Assembly where he highlighted the development of advanced weapon systems in Russia

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu reported on Wednesday about the successful sea trials of Russia’s advanced Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle and the start of a new phase of tests for the latest Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.

The defense chief’s report came after Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to the Federal Assembly where he highlighted the development of advanced weapon systems in Russia.

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New phase of Sarmat missile testing kicks off

"The trials of the Poseidon underwater drone at sea ranges have been successfully completed. The personnel of the submarine, the carrier of Poseidon drones, have undergone training," the defense minister said.

"We have switched to the next stage of testing the Sarmat missile system. Work continues for the planned rearmament of strategic nuclear forces and general-operation forces," the defense chief stressed.

The crews of MiG-31 planes armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles have already performed more than 380 air patrol flights over the Black and Caspian Seas, Shoigu said.

"As for the implementation of plans, work is in full swing to prepare the infrastructure of a large missile unit in the Orenburg Region for deploying the first regiment with the Avangard system. This regiment will assume combat duty in December this year," the defense minister said.

Russian President Putin announced in his last year’s annual address to the Federal Assembly that Russia was developing advanced weapon systems. This year, he continued this theme, saying that the Peresvet laser system undergoing operational evaluation in the troops would go on combat duty in December this year while a nuclear-powered submarine chosen as the carrier for Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicles would be floated out in the spring of 2019 and the serial production of Avangard missile systems has begun in Russia.

The Russian leader also announced about the successful pace of trials of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile and the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile with an unlimited range capability.

According to Putin, the rearmament and trials of new weapons are proceeding "rhythmically, without failures and in accordance with the plan.".

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