How will Russia’s new hypersonic missile affect global arms race? | Inside Story

Russia says its new hypersonic weapon is a technological breakthrough on the scale of Sputnik – the first satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. The Avangard is launched on top of an intercontinental ballistic missile. But unlike a regular missile warhead it can sverve sharply, making it much harder to intercept.
That’s worrying the U.S. – that’s also having to contend with China’s development of hypersonic arms.
Beijing displayed the Dong Feng 17 at a military parade in October.
The U.S. defence secretary has said developing the technology is a priority.
So will the Avangard, which Russia says can fly at 27 times the speed of sound, change the balance of power?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida

Guests:

Pavel Felgenhauer – Defence and Military Analyst

Tariq Rauf – Nuclear Arms Control Specialist

Paul Schulte – Former Director of Proliferation and Arms Control at the British Ministry of Defence

Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish
Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

#Aljazeeraenglish
#News
#InsideStory
#Russia

Source