Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 23 confirmed that serial production of the Oreshinik intermediate range ballistic missile is beginning, and that the missile has been assessed to have performed well when combat tested. “Volume production of the newest intermediate-range missile system Oreshnik, which has proved itself very well in combat conditions, is being started,” he stated, providing an update on the highly secretive weapons program.
The missile’s service entry marks a turning point for the capabilities of Russia’s ballistic missile forces, which were previously comprised solely of short ranged Iskander-M systems, and intercontinental range systems such as the Sarmat.
This left little capability for launching tactical conventional or nuclear strikes on closer targets, such as American military facilities on Guam or in the United Kingdom, or personnel concentrations across the European continent. The Oreshinik is estimated to have a 4000km range, and carries multiple independently re-targetable warheads with hypersonic reentry vehicles. These vehicles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.
Russia begins serial production of Oreshinik Long Range Ballistic Missiles
American Buddhist Net 