Russian Nuclear Forces, 2016

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, 31 Oct 2016

Hans M. Kristensen & Robert S. Norris | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists – TRANSCEND Media Service

Published online: 15 April 2016

ABM, antiballistic missile; ALCM, air-launched cruise missile; AS, air-to-surface; ASM, air-to-surface missile; ASW, antisubmarine weapon; DB, depth bomb; GLCM, ground-launched cruise missile; ICBM, intercontinental ballistic missile; MIRV, multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle; SAM, surface-to-air missile; SLBM, submarine-launched ballistic missile; SLCM, sea-launched cruise missile; SRAM, short-range attack missile.

^aIt is possible that more of these SS-25 regiments at bases undergoing upgrades to RS-24 have been inactivated.

^bThe remaining Delta IIIs in the Pacific are being replaced by new Borei SSBNs.

^cThe Sineva is a modified SS-N-23 and probably carries four MIRVed warheads. In 2006, US intelligence estimated that the missile could carry up to 10 warheads, but it lowered the estimate to four warheads in 2009.

^dAt any given time, only 320 of these warheads are deployed on five operational Delta IV submarines, with the sixth boat in overhaul.

^eAt any given time, two thirds of the 11 SSBNs are in overhaul and do not carry nuclear weapons, so not all 798 warheads are deployed.

^fBomber weapons are not deployed on the aircraft under normal circumstances. We estimate that a couple hundred weapons are present at the two bomber bases, with the remainder in central storage.

^gOnly about 1800 of these warheads are deployed on missiles and at bomber bases. New START counts fewer deployed warheads because it does not count weapons in storage and because at any given time, some SSBNs are not fully loaded.

^hIt is unknown whether the SA-21 on the S-400 system has nuclear capability. If it does, the number of air-defense warheads could be higher.

ⁱAll 32 Gorgon missiles have apparently been removed from the Moscow ABM system.

^jRussia is replacing the SS-21 with the SS-26.

^kNumbers may not add up due to rounding. All nonstrategic warheads are in central storage. The 1950 listed make up the estimated nominal load for nuclear-capable delivery platforms.

^lIn addition to these warheads, we estimate that an additional 2800 retired warheads are awaiting dismantlement, for a total inventory of nearly 7300 warheads.

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