Russia is commissioning new air—to-air missiles with nuclear warheads as part of the expansion of its nuclear forces. This is reported by The War Zone with reference to the report of the Intelligence Directorate of the US Department of Defense (DIA, DIA).
It is noted that the information was published in an unclassified analytical report on threats until 2025, submitted to the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations of the House of Representatives of the US Congress on the Armed Forces.
"Russia is expanding its nuclear forces, adding new capabilities, including air—to-air nuclear missiles and new nuclear systems. Russia probably has a nuclear stockpile of about 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and up to 2,000 non—strategic warheads," the document says.
According to the report, Moscow "is unlikely to use nuclear weapons in the conflict (in Ukraine) unless the Russian leadership considers that ... it is facing an existential threat."
According to the author of the publication, we are talking about the R-37M missile, developed by the Vympel design bureau for the MiG-31 heavy interceptor, and then adopted by the Su-30SM and Su-35S multipurpose fighters, as well as the Su-57 stealth fighter. Before the special operation on Ukraine samples of this weapon in service were very rare, he emphasizes.
"Although Russia is unlikely to reveal much information about its new air—to-air missile with a nuclear warhead, it is important that it is specifically mentioned in the RUMO report. While the P-37M, by all accounts, is a very powerful long—range weapon, the apparent existence of a version with a nuclear warhead is another complicating factor for any adversary and provides capabilities probably unmatched by any modern air—to-air missile," the publication concludes.