File: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a news conference after a meeting of the State Council on youth policy in Moscow, Russia, December 22, 2022. Picture: Sergey Guneev Sputnik via Reuters
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday sent off a frigate towards the Atlantic and Indian oceans, armed with new hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles which he said were unique in the world.
In a video conference with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Igor Krokhmal, commander of the frigate named "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov", Putin said the ship was armed with Zircon hypersonic weapons.
"This time the ship is equipped with the latest hypersonic missile system – 'Zircon' – which has no analogues," said Putin, who is engaged in a standoff with the West over his war in Ukraine.
"I would like to wish the crew of the ship success in their service for the good of the Motherland," Putin said.
Shoigu said 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 said.
Shoigu said the hypersonic missiles could overcome any missile defence system. The missiles fly at nine times the speed of sound and have a range of over 1 000 km, Shoigu said.
"The main focus of the mission will be countering threats to Russia and supporting regional peace and stability together with friendly countries," Shoigu said.
"In exercises, there will be training for the crew on deploying hypersonic weapons and long-range cruise missiles," he said.
Russia, China and the United States are currently in a hypersonic weapons race. Because of their speeds – above five times the speed of sound – and manoeuvrability, such weapons are seen as a way to gain an edge over any adversary.
The target of a hypersonic weapon is much more difficult to calculate than for intercontinental ballistic missiles.
More than 10 months into the fighting, Russia has faced a series of humiliating setbacks on the ground in Ukraine.
The Russian military's high command has come in for particular criticism in recent days following a strike by Ukrainian forces over New Year in which Moscow said 89 of its soldiers died.
Reuters and AFP