Russia deploys new air-to-air nuclear missiles: what do we know about them?

Russia has adopted a new tactical nuclear-capable guided missile to hit air targets at long range.

Here's What We Know

This is stated in the unclassified version of the report "World Threat Assessment 2025" by the US Defence Intelligence Agency, which was submitted to the House of Representatives.

The report states that "Russia is expanding its nuclear forces, adding new capabilities, including air-to-air nuclear missiles and other advanced nuclear systems". According to estimates, Russia has about 1,550 strategic and up to 2,000 non-strategic nuclear warheads in service. It also mentions the deployment of nuclear missiles and carrier aircraft in Belarus.

The American publication The War Zone suggests that this is a special version of the R-37M long-range missile, based on the Soviet R-33. It is designed to hit large airborne objects and can travel up to 200 km. The first production models were delivered to the army in 2018 after extensive testing. The missile is adapted for the MiG-31, as well as Su-30SM, Su-35S and Su-57 aircraft.

The integration of a nuclear warhead into the R-37M has not yet been officially confirmed, but the US considers it a logical continuation of Soviet developments. The report notes that Russia's use of nuclear weapons in a war against Ukraine is "highly unlikely" unless the Kremlin regime believes it faces an existential threat.

Source: TWZ