Russia's hypersonic "Avangard" missiles enter series production

MOSCOW, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Russia has begun series production of its hypersonic "Avangard" missiles equipped with a glide vehicle, local news reported Sunday.

"It is time for our Western counterparts to accept the new reality. Russian 'Kinzhal' (missiles) are on duty, and 'Avangard' missiles have entered series production," RIA Novosti news agency cited a military-diplomatic source as saying.

Russia's Western counterparts should sit at the negotiating table to talk about "overwhelming security" with regard to the most advanced weapons developed by Russia, said the source.

Russia said its "Avangard" missiles can fly at a speed 20 times that of sound and can reach intercontinental distances, and the "Kinzhal" can fly at a speed 10 times that of sound.

The two series of missiles can deliver nuclear or conventional warheads to a target more than 2,000 km away.

In his annual address to parliament on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a number of state-of-the-art missiles that can "pierce any defense systems." Enditem