Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country is ready to launch its first hypersonic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.<br />In a meeting with military officials on Wednesday, Putin said the weapons will be deployed next year.<br /><br />"The new Avangard missile system is invincible for today's and future air defense systems and missile defense systems. This is a big success and a big victory…Next year Avangard system will be deployed into service. A regiment will be created which will start its combat duty."<br /><br />He was speaking after overseeing what the Kremlin said was a pre-deployment test of the new missile system.<br />Avangard uses aerodynamic forces to sail on top of the atmosphere, traveling more than five times the speed of sound. <br />
