Russia is developing a new hypersonic missile and warns that it will be ready by 2021

Russia plans to develop by 2021 an Earth version of the missiles used until now by the Russian Navy and a new mid-level hypersonic projectileAfter Washington and Moscow suspended their participation in the intermediate-range nuclear weapons treaty, Minister of National Defense Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.

"During the years 2019-2020, it will be necessary to develop a terrestrial version of the Kalibr system used in Syria", Shoigu said, quoted in a statement from the Russian armed forces and referring to the cruise missile in service since 1994.

"During the same period, we will have to create a system of long-range land hypersonic missiles "adds the statement.

Shoigu explained this decision as response to the United States' suspension, on 2 February, of its participation in the INF (Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty, in force since 1987 and that it prohibited strategic ground missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 km.

Although in use since 1994, Russia used Kalibr missiles for the first time in combat in 2015 as part of operations against Syrian rebels. A total of 26 missiles were launched from a cruise ship located in the Caspian Sea, 1,500 km from the impact zone.

Its scope is the type of weapons prohibited by the INF Treaty., which applies only to land-based missiles.

According to Shoigu, The United States "is actively developing a land-based missile with a range greater than 500 km", that is why "the President of Russia instructed the Ministry of Defense to take reciprocal measures".

Vladimir Putin immediately reacted by announcing that Moscow "suspended" its participation in the agreement and that it would not promote further negotiations on disarmament with the United States "until they are ripe ".