Russian President Vladimir Putin said the state-of-the-art weapon has no foreign analogues
The launch of a hypersonic cruise missile ‘Tsirkon’ (‘Zircon’) at a naval target position located in the White Sea is seen during the strategic deterrence force drills from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate in the Barents Sea. © Sputnik / Russian Defence Ministry
The first Russian warship carrying Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, the frigate ‘Admiral Gorshkov,’ began routine combat service on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw the ceremony via video link. He said that the Zircon missile was a “unique weapon” and that “no other country has anything comparable.”
“I am sure that such a powerful armament will allow us to steadfastly defend Russia from potential foreign threats. It will help to maintain the national interests of our country,” Putin stated.
According to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, the frigate will conduct “a voyage in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.”
“A ship fitted with Zircons is capable of carrying out high-precision and powerful strikes on the enemy at sea and on land,” Shoigu said. “The unique feature of Zircon hypersonic missiles is their guaranteed ability to bypass any existing or prospective air defense systems.”
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