Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed on Wednesday that his country’s nuclear arsenal is the key guarantor of its sovereignty, pledging that new weapons would soon enter into service.

“We will continue to maintain and improve the combat-readiness of our nuclear triad. This is the main guarantee for preserving our sovereignty and territorial integrity, strategic parity, and the general balance of power in the world,” Putin said, addressing a meeting with Russia’s senior defense officials.

The Russian strongman added that “the share of modern types of weapons in [Russia’s] strategic nuclear forces has exceeded 91% this year.”

Putin stated that the Sarmat silo-based intercontinental ballistic missile will enter service “in the nearest future,” Russia Today reported, noting that the missile can travel 18,000km (11,184 miles).

Putin also said that the Northern Fleet’s frigate ‘Admiral Gorshkov’ will be equipped with Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles in early January. Launched in 2010, the frigate is among Russia’s largest ships. Testing of the Zircon aboard the ‘Admiral Gorshkov’ was completed in June, according to the Defense Ministry.

For his part, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at the same meeting that the first Tu-160M, the upgraded version of the Tu-160 nuclear-capable bomber, has joined the Air Force.

Source: Russian media