In an awards ceremony at the Kremlin on National Unity Day with members of the collectives of scientists and engineers who were responsible for the development of the Burevestnik and the Poseidon vehicles, Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined the importance of these technological advances made by Russia, but at the same time underlined Russia’s desire for peace. He noted that a NATO reconnaissance ship had been in the area on Oct. 21 when Russia crews tested the Burevestnik. “We did not interfere with its operation. They were allowed to watch,” Putin said.
Putin praised the work of the crews responsible for these advances. “Burevestnik has surpassed all other known missiles in the world in terms of range. It also boasts high precision, achieved steadily within a pre-calculated timeframe,” Putin said. “On the basis of such power systems, we are already developing a new generation of weapons. Moreover, we have launched the development of next-generation nuclear-powered cruise missiles. Their speed will be more than three times the speed of sound. Subsequently, they will become hypersonic.” Because of the power source, the Burevestnik can stay in the air longer than any other vehicle.
Similarly with the Poseidon underwater vehicle. Putin noted: “Of course, Poseidon’s developers had their own specific tasks for operating a submarine system. I am referring to using cutting-edge materials, nodes and components that a device of this kind needs to enable it to be faster and go deeper, up to 1,000 meters. As for the speed, it is several times faster compared to all the latest above-water vessels.” He underlined the importance of the Russian work in miniaturizing nuclear reactors in order to achieve advances which place these weapons in advance of any other country. “What I want to stress is that these technological breakthroughs do not come out of nowhere. It goes without saying that they represent the work and talent of many generations of our compatriots who started this research in the second half of the 20th century and persisted in their dedicated efforts.” It has truly been the commitment of the Soviet Union and later Russia to the continued development of nuclear energy, with Russia in the lead, that has allowed such a development.
Most significantly, Putin also indicated the importance this could have for economic development moving forward and for the development of humanity. “By putting them to use, we can achieve breakthroughs not only in defence manufacturing, but also in many civilian sectors while carrying out multiple priority national projects and programs.
“This includes building small nuclear reactors for powering the Arctic zone and exploring near and deeper space, including powering the spacecraft we are developing right now for delivering heavy payloads. This could also be used in the future for the base on the Moon too.
“By operating based on new principles and algorithms, the Poseidon project can facilitate efforts to improve unmanned devices, while also helping develop shipbuilding, navigation systems and unmanned navigation, including in the Arctic, while exploring the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, and along other routes,” Putin said.
“Our country poses no threat to anyone,” said President Putin. “Russia, like all other nuclear powers, is building its nuclear capabilities and its strategic potential.”
