The Russian military is planning to increase deployment of its most advanced non-nuclear cruise missiles which are used for attacks both on land and at sea. The move is part of the country’s major overhaul of its naval unit, and it could present a serious challenge to the United States Navy in the future. Now the United States is doing everything it can to counter this Russian technology.
Russia is currently working to install new KALIBR-class missiles on many of its smaller warships. By doing this, the country expects that it will be able to better deter, threaten and destroy its adversaries. Russia will also be able to better contain opposing land forces that could otherwise threaten its naval units.
A report from the United States Office of Naval Intelligence read, “With the use of the land attack missile, all platforms have a significant ability to hold distant fixed ground targets at risk using conventional warheads.”
The KALIBR class of missiles has a wide variety of uses and capabilities. The weapons are particularly noteworthy for their ability to be utilized both from the sea and on land. The missiles can strike targets from more than 1,500 miles away, and they feature supersonic and sea-skimming technology that is an improvement over similar missiles. The innovative weapons have already been used by Russian submarines conducting attacks in Syria.
While the move by Russia is not a direct threat to the United States, it’s clear that Russia is putting a large amount of effort to develop improved anti-ship missiles. If tensions between Russia and the United States continue to escalate, these weapons will be a serious challenge to the United States Navy.
American Naval officials have already received permission to shift funds in order to upgrade the military’s ability to detect Russian submarines. By mid-2016, the United States is hoping to test an “undersea sensor system” in the Atlantic Ocean. This system should be able to protect the country for any naval threats that Russia might deploy. Officials have also stated that all new American naval ships will contain significant technological advances to better detect opposing forces.
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