""Nato accused Russia of "nuclear sabre-rattling" on Tuesday when Vladimir Putin promised to deploy at least 40 new inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) this year.
Russia possesses about 300 ICBMs, so this ambitious plan will see the replacement of 13 per cent of the country's entire arsenal in one year, representing an almost unprecedented rate of modernisation.
The older weapons will be withdrawn and succeeded by new SS-27 missiles, each capable of delivering between four and six strategic nuclear warheads. If loaded to full capacity, these new ICBMs could deliver 240 nuclear warheads – more than Britain’s entire arsenal.
Speaking at the opening of “Army 2015”, an exhibition of weapons outside Moscow, Mr Putin said: “This year the size of our nuclear forces will increase by over 40 new inter-continental ballistic missiles that will be able to overcome any, even the most technologically advanced, missile defence systems.”
Mr Putin’s announcement came after Poland and Lithuania said they were negotiating with America over a plan to store US heavy weapons, including Abrams main battle tanks, within their borders. The plan calls for the US army to “pre-position” the weapons and equipment – but not troops – for one brigade in six countries along Nato’s eastern flank.
The US air force is also considering whether to send its most advanced jet fighter, the F-22 Raptor, on rotational deployments in Europe.
Anatoly Antonov, the Russian deputy defence minister, said the Kremlin was obliged to respond to these moves. “There’s a feeling that our colleagues from Nato countries are pushing us towards an arms race,” he added.
Earlier, Russia’s foreign ministry described the plan to store US heavy weapons in Eastern Europe as an answer to a “perceived Russian threat” that was a “myth”.
A statement from the foreign ministry accused America of “fuelling tensions and nurturing its European allies’ anti-Russian fears” to create a pretext for expanding its “military presence and hence strengthen its influence in Europe”.
The ministry added: “There is growing risk that the US military strategy on Nato’s ‘eastern flank’ will take on a life of its own, disregarding realities and Europe’s political interests.”
But Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary general, condemned Mr Putin's announcement of 40 new missiles. "This nuclear sabre-rattling by Russia is unjustified, destabilising and it is dangerous," he said.
John Kerry, the US secretary of state, joined the condemnation, saying: "Nobody should hear that kind of announcement from the leader of a powerful country and not be concerned about what the implications are.""
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