Russia test-launches multiple hypersonic missiles from frigate, submarine

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News January 2, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Russia successfully test-launched 10 new Tsirkon hypersonic missiles from a frigate and two from a submarine.

Russia’s Interfax news agency cited the Russian Northern Fleet on December 31 saying that Moscow tested its Tsirkon hypersonic missile system on December 24.

Although during the past year Russia has conducted several successful tests of its Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile, this was the first time that Moscow reported the successful simultaneous launch of multiple Tsirkon missiles.

Russian news agency Interfax quoted: “The Project 22350, Admiral Gorshkov, successfully conducted a series of tests of the hypersonic Zirkon missile, a total of about 10 launches.”

“The Project 885, Severodvinsk, a Yasen class nuclear-power submarine, conducted two test firing of Zirkon missiles,” it added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the launch of hypersonic missiles as part of a new generation of unparalleled weapon systems.

During a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Science and Education, Putin said: “Last night or, to be more exact, this morning, the Tsirkon hypersonic system was salvo-launched. This is our advanced missile that can hit both seaborne and ground targets. The tests were successful and smooth. This is a big event in the country’s life and a considerable step towards enhancing Russia’s security and its defense capability.”

The 3M22 Tsirkon, also known as Zircon, is Russia’s hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile. The missile system was announced by Putin in 2018 as part of the five new weapons. According to Russian sources, the Zircon hypersonic missile can reach speeds of up to Mach 9, slightly less than 7,000 miles per hour, and has a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers.

According to Russian officials and experts, compared with Russia’s older supersonic cruise missiles, the Tsirkon missile would provide substantial performance advantages and pose a significant threat to the U.S. and NATO carrier strike groups.

*^{Russia launches Tsirkon hypersonic missile (Image credit: Russian military)}*

Earlier in October 2021, Russia for the first time test-fired the Tsirkon hypersonic missile from a submarine. More recently, Russia has paced efforts to begin mass production of Tsirkon missiles, and provide the bulk supply to the Russian Navy.

According to earlier reports by Russian media, Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate, Admiral Golovko would be the first vessel to carry Zircon hypersonic missile and later it is expected to be used by several latest and advanced warships, including the Admiral Gorshkov-class and Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, Buyan-class and Gremyashchiy-class small vessels, and Russian battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy and Kirov-class Admiral Nakhimov.