Russian security chief on hypersonic weapons: "This is an arms race"

Sergey Shoigu, the Secretary of Russia's Security Council, has warned that the world has entered a new phase in the arms race with the advent of hypersonic weapons.

Speaking at a plenary session of the Scientific-Expert Council of the Security Council, Shoigu noted that the arms race, which began with conventional arms and evolved into the nuclear era, has now reached a new level, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

"The arms race is clearly underway. It has never stopped. It has simply transformed into a new quality. Initially, there were conventional weapons, then nuclear weapons, followed by the need for delivery systems — the deployment of Strategic Missile Forces, naval delivery methods, and so on," Shoygu stated.

"Now, we have reached the next stage — the emergence of new types of weaponry," he continued. The Russian official specifically referenced hypersonic weapons as part of this next phase.

"I am talking about hypersonic weapons — weapons based on new physical principles, with global range. This is indeed the stage of the arms race," Shoygu concluded.

Earlier, a top Russian security official had accused European nations of preparing for a military confrontation with Russia by 2030. Shoygu stated that Western leaders are openly planning for such a conflict within the next three to five years.

He also criticized Western efforts to establish military-political alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, including the US-Japan-South Korea bloc and the AUKUS alliance (US, UK, Australia). He claimed these actions are aimed at dismantling ASEAN while pushing the narrative that the organisation cannot address regional security challenges.

Shoigu highlighted the West's focus on potentially integrating India into these structures, despite India's reluctance to join. Additionally, Shoigu cited the negative impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff policies on the political landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev