STRATDELA #39
Back to the beginning
Some subscribers might remember that first STRATDELA issues paid special attention to the so-called “novel” Russian strategic offensive arms. Well, this issue will speak a lot about these beasts - but not only them, of course.
Strategic offensive weapons
B-21 might become a basis for an air-to-air platform. Well, not really surprised. “Regular” B-21 program also speeding up.
Some people started to openly argue for a road-mobile variant of Sentinel ICBM. Bring it on!
First W80-4 “warhead canned subassembly” diamond-stamped.
Tabletop exercise with the 62nd missile division in Uzhur took place in Russia. Might be related to future Sarmat deployment. Or not.
NATO Steadfast Noon is not really about strategic weapons, but anyway kind of strategic. The most interesting part is the active participation of new members - Finland and Sweden, and also involvement of new nuclear base - RAF Lakenheath - although there are some questions and concerns.
Some related pics from the FAS:
DPRK demonstrated new Hwasong-20 solid-fuel road-mobile ICBM, among other fancy things:
Sentinel Launch Support System is alive and well. Let’s wait for actual testing. More milestones passed!
Russian strategic nuclear forces carried out a traditional training (Yars, Sineva, Bear, Putin). With a non-traditional focus on “the procedure for the use of nuclear weapons authorization”. And some awesome shots of Yars launch from inside the Krona.
USSTRATCOM had their share of fun as well: Global Thunder 2025 kicked off literally the same day.
First Columbia SSBN is reportedly 60% complete.
Some British retired officers want to share nuclear weapons with Germany.
M51.3 SLBM begins deployment on French SSBNs
Now, fancy things.
BUREVESTNIK
Test on October 21st
15 hour flight using nuclear power, covered 14 000 km
Demonstrated vertical and horizontal maneuvering and ability to evade air and missile defenses
Lots of things to be made and considered before deployment, including classification and mode of operations
Nuclear power source “1000 times smaller” than the one used in SSNs
Technologies, including radiation-hardened electronics can be used in space and elsewhere, including for Lunar missions
POSEIDON
Test on October 28th
Nuclear propulsion initiated
Warhead more powerful than Sarmat
Travels deep and fast
Will probably say more on these beasts later, but I suggest to consider them as long-term hedging projects against any possible missile defense related technological surprise. Also, I am still waiting for any credible pictures and schemes regarding these two.
Hyperhype
New fancy ramjets for hypersonic missiles demonstrated by GE.
New megakimskander Hwasong-11ma form Pyongyang:
I’m not sure it actually works, but they claim successful tests recently.
In the meantime, there are some interesting plans for hypersonic CPS-armed Zumwalt ships in the US, i.e. deploying them to Hawaii “to move on China in wartime scenarios”.
First US Dark Eagle battery to be equipped with actual missiles by December 2025.
Post-INF (and other long-range precision weapons)
Japan is working on mating Type-12 long-range cruise missiles or their variants with their ships, both surface and submarine.
New possible land-based launcher for Tomahawk demonstrated by Oshkosh.
Well, it does look better than Typhon, although not much effort is need for this. Still, let’s wait for actual tests.
PrSM production is speeding up, and more and more variants appear.
Philippines might be procuring South Korean AShBMs. Well, missile race in the region is on.
Bundeswehr is planning to spend a lot on Tomahawks and Typhons.
Oreshnik expected in Belarus this December.
French are engaged in MBT MRBM project, let’s see how it goes. Looks like non-nuclear capability and forward deployment are a focus now.
Early Warning and Missile Defense and Military Space
France and Germany are “laying the foundation” for the European Early Warning capability under the JEWEL programme. Personally I believe it is a very welcome and potentially stabilizing development. Odin’s Eye also falls into this category.
Rocket Lab continues preparations for their Neutron SLV launch, and also prepares a new spaceport in Wallops Island.
US Space Force reminds everyone that they need allies to…dominate in Space. They also announced a new document about trends and threats to be released this year: “The Future Operating Environment”.
ATLAS space domain awareness system declared operational in the US.
Switzerland also wants military space capabilities.
Space-beased interceptors to be tested in 2028 by Lockheed Martin, hooray! (no) Other folks are working on this as well, and especially on the “enabling technologies”.
Germans are also looking for counterspace capabilities.
Military AI
AI algorithms are being trained and tested to develop battle plans. No surprises here, but also there seem to be some lack of oversight as well.
Military Industry
Anduril et al trying hard to bring their weapons to the mass orders by the US and other countries, namely Poland. Well, this is expected, although it remains to be seen how cheaper alternatives will perform under battle conditions.
Arms control, diplomacy and signalling
As usual, some nuclear-related statements happened during President Putin’s Valdai Speech this year. Apart from to reiteration of the offer to extend New START ceilings (and only ceilings) for one year, he mentioned the need to somehow address third parties and other strategic weapons. And, to some extent, even tactical nuclear weapons. On nuclear testing the position remains the same - Russia won’t be the first, but will definitely test if someone else does.
Here are links to the official readouts from the events where Burevestnik and Poseidon tests were mentioned: 1, 2.
Trump’s response to Burevestnik belongs here as well.
In other news, First Committee is on, but I will try to cover it next time.
Further reading (and listening)
Good report on Nuclear Deterrence Curriculum
Interesting report on NNSA costs and notifications
Quality paper on nuclear arms control
Russian take on US-RU-CN strategic triangle
Good interview with Alexei Arbatov on New START etc. [In Russian]
Great report on current state of satellite building and launching globally
Interesting paper on the costs of arms racing
Russian thoughts on the demand to have an interim variant of N-SLCM in the us
Interesting details on tracking road-mobile missiles:
Good overview of the Chinese Nuclear Forces evolution
Report on implications of the Russian nukes in Belarus
Brief piece on current state of space warfare
A report on British and French nukes
Good overview of the Russian strategic forces exercises:
Remarks by Sergei Ryabkov on non-proliferation and arms control at a meeting with students recently
Good Golden Dome explainer
Music
Being an old fan of SOULFLY, I will force you to listen to this banger from the new album:
All the good things - mix of styles, lots of guests, total raw awesomeness.
End Notes
PSA: Applications are now open for the New Generation Experts Segment of the 2026 Moscow Nonproliferation Conference. More information here.
I’m long behind the schedule on so many Special issues, but will try to come back sooner this time. Believe me, there will be some interesting stuff! Also, do not forget about STRATDELA on telegram for real-time coverage of events and publishing of links to interesting reading.