He recalled that in April 2022, Russia tested the Sarmat, “a highly combat-ready strategic weapon”. According to the general, these weapons “confirm the critical importance of modern and reliable deterrent capabilities for the United States”.
Van Herck also noted the tests of the Belgorod nuclear submarine, capable of carrying Poseidon torpedoes. These torpedoes can hit coastal targets thousands of miles away and “keep the homeland under threat”, the general warned.
Russian air and sea cruise missiles are also capable of striking the North American continent, the NORAD chief stressed.
Recall that in December last year, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry Sergei Shoigu said that the successful launches of a new heavy-class missile of the Sarmat missile system during state tests allowed to start working on its deployment. According to him, in 2023 in Russia it is necessary to put into service more than 20 launchers with Yars, Sarmat and Avangard ICBMs.
