In March 2025, Russia unveiled the ‘Zircon’ Hypersonic Missile, a cutting-edge weapon capable of reaching speeds of Mach 9 (over 10,000 kilometers per hour, km/h) at altitudes of 20 km. Zircon is described as a “strategic asset” representing a significant leap in military technology, capable of striking land, sea, and airborne targets with unmatched precision and speed.
- The Zircon, also called the 3M22 Zircon, is a Supersonic Combustion Ramjet, or Scramjet-powered, nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile.
- It utilises the 3S-14 launch platforms on frigates and submarines, and the missile was first used during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2024.
Note: The development of Zircon is part of Russia’s broader military strategy aimed at countering potential opponents, particularly the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States of America (USA).
About Zircon Hypersonic Missile:
i.The Zircon hypersonic missile was initially developed as an anti-ship missile, but it is versatile enough to strike ground targets as well.
ii.Its extreme velocity and maneuverability are nearly impossible for current missile defence systems to intercept, significantly enhancing Russia’s deterrence and offensive capabilities.
- Zircon operates in the hypersonic domain, making reaction times for enemy defences nearly nonexistent.
iii.Its maximum strike distance is estimated to be around 1,500 km (932 miles), allowing long-range strikes, significantly extending Russia’s long-range strike potential.
iv.Zircon’s high speed and low radar cross-section reduces detectability, providing Russian forces with an unprecedented first-strike capability.
v.It is compatible with standard Russian Vertical Launch Systems (VLS), allowing it to be integrated into multiple naval platforms.
- It can be launched from both surface ships and submarines.
Deployment of Zircon:
i.Zircon was first unveiled in 2019 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and was successfully test-fired from a warship in January 2020, reaching a training target 500 km away.
ii.Additionally, the missile was successfully test-launched for the 1st time in October 2021 from the nuclear-powered Severodvinsk submarine, demonstrating its underwater capabilities.
iii.The Admiral Gorshkov frigate, part of Russia’s Northern Fleet, was the first warship to be equipped with Zircon.
Notable Developments:
i.In March 2025, Russia officially launched “Perm“, a 4th-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine and the first Russian submarine designed to carry and launch hypersonic Zircon missiles.
- This is the first time Zircon missiles have been incorporated as a standard combat feature on a nuclear submarine.
ii.The submarine is named after the city of Perm in the Ural Mountain Ranges of Russia.
About Russia:
President– Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
Prime Minister (PM)- Mikhail Mishustin
Capital– Moscow
Currency– Russian Ruble (RUB)
