Russia has repeatedly claimed that no defence systems in the world can intercept its Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile and that several of these used in a conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack. Now, a US defence expert has given credence to this claim, saying it is impossible to stop the Russian missile.
Former US Army officer and foreign policy expert Daniel L. Davis, speaking to news agency ANI, claimed that “It's not difficult to stop the Oreshnik, it's impossible. Right now, the technology doesn't even exist to get it." The missile claims to possess the capability to strike a target at 10 times the speed of sound, or Mach 10.
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Davis said the power of Oreshnik has been demonstrated twice previously, and there was not even an attempt to intercept it "because the speed of the incoming warheads is so fast that any existing technology doesn't have a prayer to even make an interception, an identification, much less knock it out."
Taking a dig at the proposed Golden Dome defence system of the US, he claimed that it is a fool's errand to say that there is going to be an impervious dome, as the development of missile technology is constantly evolving and keeping pace.
He termed the possibility of a foolproof integrated air and missile system like the proposed Golden Dome a fantasy, considering the development of hypersonics and other technology.
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“Development of the missile technology is continuing to pace. So, whatever you think you are going to have technology-wise in the distant future, the missile technology will also advance beyond that,” Davis was quoted as saying.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had claimed that the missile strikes the target “like a meteorite,” and said it was immune to any missile defence system.
Unlike Russia's other shorter-range conventional weapons, the Oreshnik is able to launch a powerful, conventional strike anywhere in Europe, giving the country a new instrument of escalation without tapping its nuclear arsenal.
Russia's defence ministry said in December that Oreshnik had been deployed to Belarus and entered active service.
