“Powerful weapon” for protection: Putin presents the “Zirkon” hypersonic missile

“Powerful Weapon” for protection
Putin unveils Zirkon hypersonic missile

Russia, China and the United States are currently engaged in a hypersonic weapons race. With the “Zirkon”, the Russian President is now presenting a rocket of this type. The Kremlin boss wants to send a sign of strength.

Against the background of ongoing problems in his war of aggression against Ukraine, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has put the new “Zirkon” hypersonic missile into service. “I’m sure that such a powerful weapon will allow us to reliably protect Russia from external threats and safeguard our country’s national interests,” said the 70-year-old in a video link from the Kremlin about the commissioning of the “Zirkon” missiles on the Frigate “Admiral Gorshkov”.

The “Admiral Gorshkov” is part of Russia’s Northern Fleet and is to be sent on a long voyage to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to demonstrate Russia’s naval power. The warship, which entered service in 2018, is the first frigate to be equipped with the new missiles. The “Zirkon” has a range of more than 500 kilometers and is primarily used to combat ships. Because of its extremely high speed – according to Russian information, it can accelerate to up to 8,000 to 9,000 kilometers per hour – it is practically unstoppable by the air defense.

The public ceremony apparently also serves to distract attention from the weaknesses of the Russian army in the Ukraine war. More than ten months since hostilities erupted in what was initially slated to be a limited operation, a growing number of Russians no longer perceive Putin as the strong warlord he wants to portray himself as. The image of Russia’s military and armaments industry has also suffered. In the course of the transfer, Putin promised to continue to arm the Russian armed forces with the most modern weapons.

To that end, the Kremlin chief had to admit delays in the new intercontinental ballistic missile “Samrat” before Christmas. There are “deviations from the schedules”. The missiles (NATO code name: SS-X-30 Satan 2) were originally supposed to be stationed with the armed forces in the fall. The missile has a range of 18,000 kilometers and can be equipped with several nuclear warheads. In addition, three Tupolev Tu-160M ​​long-range bombers, five submarines and twelve warships should be put into service in 2023.

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