Russian President Vladimir Putin despatched a frigate to the Atlantic Ocean armed with new-generation hypersonic cruise missiles on Wednesday, a sign to the West that Moscow won’t again down over the struggle in Ukraine.
Russia, China and the United States are in a race to develop hypersonic weapons that are seen as a approach to achieve an edge over any adversary due to their speeds – above 5 occasions the velocity of sound – and maneuverability.
In a video convention with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Igor Krokhmal, commander of the frigate named “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov,” Putin stated the ship was armed with Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic weapons.
“This time the ship is equipped with the latest hypersonic missile system – ‘Zircon,'” stated Putin. “I am sure that such powerful weapons will reliably protect Russia from potential external threats.”
The weapons, Putin stated, had “no analogs in any country in the world.”
More than 10 months since Putin despatched troops into Ukraine, there is no such thing as a finish in sight to the struggle which has descended right into a grinding winter artillery battle that has killed and wounded tens of hundreds of troopers on either side.
Russia has additionally used hypersonic Kinzhal (Dagger) missiles in Ukraine.
Along with the Avangard hypersonic glide car which entered fight responsibility in 2019, the Zircon types the centerpiece of Russia’s hypersonic arsenal.
Russia sees the weapons as a approach to pierce more and more refined U.S. missile defenses which Putin has warned may in the future shoot down Russian nuclear missiles.
Atlantic voyage
Shoigu stated the Gorshkov would sail to the Atlantic and Indian oceans and to the Mediterranean Sea.
“This ship, armed with ‘Zircons,’ is capable of delivering pinpoint and powerful strikes against the enemy at sea and on land,” Shoigu stated.
Shoigu stated the hypersonic missiles may overcome any missile protection system. The missiles fly at 9 occasions the velocity of sound and have a variety of over 1,000 km, Shoigu stated.
The primary duties of the voyage have been to counter threats to Russia and to take care of “regional peace and stability jointly with friendly countries,” Shoigu stated.
A U.S. Congressional Research Service report on hypersonic weapons says that Russian and Chinese hypersonic missiles are designed for use with nuclear warheads.
The goal of a hypersonic weapon is far more troublesome to calculate than for intercontinental ballistic missiles due to their maneuverability.
Beyond Russia, the United States and China, a variety of different nations are creating hypersonic weapons together with Australia, France, Germany, South Korea, North Korea and Japan, in accordance with the U.S. Congressional Research Service.
