A new step has come from Russia, which has a very large nuclear arsenal and is working to integrate it with its deep strike capability.
Moscow has been conducting a number of studies for a while to develop new cruise missiles and to improve the capabilities of existing systems. With the new move in this area, the Su-30 (NATO Reporting Name: Flanker) aircraft may gain nuclear deep strike capability. Russia has announced that it plans to integrate Kh-32 cruise missiles on some platforms in its inventory. In defence backstage; it is stated that ammunition, which can reach a 1000 kilometres maximum range depending on the warhead type/weight and launch altitude, will increase the effectiveness of the said platforms.
The Kh-32s, whose design work dates back to the 1990s, was officially accepted into the Russian inventory in 2016. The ammunition has advanced automatic flight control equipment based on an inertial navigation system. The projectile developed with the logic of piercing the US missile system thanks to its speed and altitude advantage, can reach a maximum speed of Mach 4.6. The Kh-32, which can also carry nuclear warheads and it has electronic warfare resistant structure. The system, which can fly to its target from 40,000 metres altitude (131,200 feet) until the terminal stage, has already been certified for the use of Tu-22M3 strategic bombers.
The Kh-32 integration into the Su-30s poses a significant threat to the US Navy. The missile, which also includes a radar system in the guidance complex, allows Russian aircraft to engage without even approaching the outer layer of the defence network that protects the US aircraft carrier task groups. US military experts underline that if the said integration occurs, the Su-30 can hit US Navy elements by sending projectiles to targets from a safe distance without entering the range of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, whose operational radius is approximately 720 km.
