The cost of a single "Yars" intercontinental ballistic missile is equivalent to that of a Su-35 fighter jet!
Earlier, on the night of February 28, Russia suddenly conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The launched model is speculated to be the RS-24 "Yars" ICBM, which flew 7,600 kilometers and accurately hit a target range on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East.
This marks the fourth ICBM test launch by Russia within less than a year—such frequent testing reflects Russia's anxiety regarding national security and the situation on the Ukraine frontlines, as well as the intensifying tensions between Russia and Western countries led by the United States.
If diplomacy fails, then war may follow. Test launches of intercontinental missiles serve as an effective nuclear deterrence mechanism.
Russia’s four ICBM test launches within under a year have demonstrated formidable nuclear deterrence capabilities—but at a heavy financial cost. Intercontinental missiles are extremely expensive strategic weapons, especially land-based mobile ICBMs, with each "Yars" missile launch costing roughly equivalent to scrapping a Su-35 fighter jet.
Developing a truly effective nuclear deterrent system is incredibly costly. Simply conducting annual tests already represents a significant expense. For example, China has recently not only carried out live-fire tests for new missile models but also begun conducting verification live-fire tests on operational missile systems—over the past two years, launching land-based mobile ICBMs and submarine-launched ICBMs into the South Pacific.
Russia’s ICBM testing program is even more extensive, requiring massive financial investment. Multiple rounds of testing are primarily aimed at verifying retaliatory nuclear capabilities after surviving a first-strike attack. Of course, Russia doesn’t need to prove it can strike the United States; the real issue determining the credibility of nuclear deterrence is whether Russia still possesses enough ICBMs capable of survival following an enemy’s initial nuclear attack—a crucial factor for any nuclear deterrence system.
Frequent ICBM test launches place a heavy fiscal burden on Russia. Intercontinental missiles are simply too expensive—almost beyond imagination—but they cannot be dispensed with. Even amid severe economic hardship, Russia must tighten its belt and continue pursuing this effort. The reason is simple: this is a matter of life and death.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875130904224908/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.