For the first time in Russia, a hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile "Zircon" was launched from an underwater position from the nuclear submarine "Severodvinsk". The missile successfully hit a target in the Barents Sea. According to Military Watch, with such missiles, the Russian Navy will significantly increase the firepower of its ships.
The article notes the uniqueness of the cruise missile. It is characterized by maneuverability, a speed of about 9 Mach and a long range of more than 1000 kilometers. The Zircon has more advantages than the Kalibr rocket, which already had a much more modern and versatile design than well-known Western competitors.
Military Watch notes that the Zircon can be used on almost any Russian ship - from small corvettes to nuclear submarines and cruisers. Currently, two Yasen-class submarines are in service with the Russian Navy, and seven more are under construction or sea trials. Placing a "Zircon" on them significantly increases the firepower of the Russian Navy, allows you to hit the enemy from a greater distance and with a much higher chance of evading advanced air defense systems.
The article notes that a ship that is able to deploy 32-40 Zircon missiles capable of destroying even very large warships with one successful hit due to its enormous speed can disable an aircraft carrier strike group twice. Although the Zircon is very expensive, in the future it can seriously expand the capabilities of Russian submarines, especially in the open sea
Svetlana Tsygankova
