Title Strengthening Russia's nuclear forces in the Arctic : the case of the Kinzhal missile / by Jyri Lavikainen

Published Washington, DC : Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2021 ©2021

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Description 1 online resource (7 pages) Summary Russia's Northern Fleet has begun preparations to deploy the air-launched ballistic missile Kh-47M2 Kinzhal on MiG-31K carriers. The deployment of the new hypersonic weapon is consistent with Russia's ongoing and persistent efforts to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic. The number of available munitions is, however, constrained by the limited number of carrier vehicles and the need to provide a fighter escort for the carrier vehicle. In order to ensure that the Kinzhal system can fulfill its role in Russia's escalation management strategy, the missile is likely intended to be loaded with nuclear warheads and strike both sea and land targets. Although the capabilities of Russia's new strategic weapons are often exaggerated, the operating range of the system and mobility of the carrier vehicle represent a significant improvement over Russia's other nuclear-capable precision-strike assets in the Arctic. Moreover, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its partner states Finland and Sweden should be aware that the MiG-31K can strike targets in Norway through Finnish and Swedish airspace. Cooperation between NATO and its partner states retains its importance in the face of Russia's military buildup in the Arctic Notes "September 2021." Online resource; title from PDF caption(CSIS, viewed September 20, 2021) Subject Nuclear weapons -- Arctic regions Ballistic missiles -- Arctic regions Security, International -- Arctic regions Ballistic missiles. Government policy. Military policy. Nuclear weapons. Security, International. Strategic aspects of individual places. SUBJECT Russia (Federation) -- Government policy -- Arctic regions Russia (Federation) -- Military policy Arctic regions -- Strategic aspects. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85006964 Subject Arctic Regions. Russia (Federation) Form Electronic book Author Center for Strategic and International Studies (Washington, D.C.), publisher.

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