The P-800 Onyx cruise missile will be able to destroy ground objects. Modernization of the Russian development has expanded the list of potential goals. This was stated by Alexander Leonov, General Director, General Designer of the Military Industrial Complex NPO Mashinostroeniya, member of the regional council of the Moscow Regional branch of the Union of Machine Builders of Russia, in an interview with RIA Novosti.
Initially, the Onyx missile was developed to defeat surface targets. The missile is carried by surface and submarines, as well as a mobile coastal missile system "Bastion". Modernization of the ammunition allowed hitting ground targets.
Leonov noted that back in 2016, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the use of missiles in Syria. The Minister noted that the Bastion complexes closed the entire coast due to the ability to hit land and sea targets.
"It can be used by submarines, surface ships, aircraft and land-based coastal missile systems. That is, we can say that the rocket is unified in terms of carriers and universal in terms of targets," Leonov explained.
In September, the publication 19FortyFive compared the American F-35 fighter with the Russian Su-35. The article noted that the range of Su-35 missile weapons is more than 300 kilometers, and Onyx missiles pose a threat to ships.
In March, the authors of The Drive suggested that the AN/SLQ-62 Portable Electronic Warfare Module-Speed To Fleet (TEWM-STF) electronic warfare system would be able to resist Russian Onyx missiles. These complexes are installed on the Arleigh Burke-type destroyers of the US Navy, which are based in Spain.
Daniil Irinin
