* The 'Zircon' missile is reportedly capable of Mach-9 speed at around 6,900mph
* It has been launched previously from a frigate and a coastal mount, but never before from a nuclear submarine
* It is part of a new generation of advanced Russian weaponry first announced by Vladimir Putin back in 2018
* The Zircon is set to be deployed next year, first via a stealth frigate
* Moscow believes the missile can evade any Western missile defence system
* It comes as part of a new arms-race for advanced missiles, with the US and North Korea also conducting tests of hypersonic weapons in the past month
Russia today announced it has successfully test-fired its new lethal Zircon - or Tsirkon - hypersonic missile from a nuclear submarine for the first time.
The 6,670mph weapon hit a target in the Barents Sea according to the Moscow defence ministry, who claims the missile is capable of Mach-9 speeds and able to evade all Western defences.
Footage released by the ministry shows the debut launch from nuclear submarine Severodvinsk while the vessel was on the surface of the White Sea.
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More News On Russia Successfully Test Firing A Submarine-Launched A Hypersonic Tsirkon Missile
Tsirkon missile’s first test launch from sub successfully conducted in Barents Sea -- TASS
Submarine Severodvinsk carries out underwater launch of Tsirkon missile -- TASS
Russian Military Successfully Test-Fires Zircon Hypersonic Missile From Nuclear Submarine -- Sputnik
Russia test-fires new hypersonic missile from submarine -- AP
Tsirkon: Russia test fires hypersonic cruise missile from submarine for first time -- SKY News
Russia test fires submarine-launched hypersonic Tsirkon missile for first time -- CNN
At this speed it is really difficult to intercept. That said it is not the only parameter which count and we know little about the rest.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is a point for Russia but it doesn't change the deterrent at all.