OREANDA-NEWS. The Russian military demonstrated to the USA servicemen the Avangard hypersonic missile system equipped with a winged gliding unit. This was reported by TASS information agency on November 26, citing a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

“On the territory of the Russian Federation, a demonstration of the Avangard missile system with a hypersonic glider winged unit to the American inspection team was conducted,” the ministry said.

The representatives of the defense agency also added that the demonstration was held from November 24 to 26, 2019, as a part of the implementation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START III) concluded between Moscow and Washington in order to maintain the viability and effectiveness of this agreement.

On March 1, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time spoke about the Avangard strategic complex in a message to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

On October 13, 2019, Putin spoke about the consequences of not renewing START III. According to the politician, in such a case the world will become not only more dangerous, but also less predictable. Russian leader noted that nowadays this treaty remains “virtually the last instrument to limit the armaments race.”

The agreement expires in February 2021. The document was signed in 2010. Currently it is the only arms limitation treaty between Russia and the United States. In August, the head of the Pentagon, Mark Esper, proposed including all new weapons of Russia in START III.