Rus "Hypersonic Missile Tsirkon, Another Successful Test Launch"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russia announced that it has once again succeeded in the test launch of the hypersonic cruise missile "Tsirkon." Amid ongoing military tensions with the West over the Ukraine conflict, this is interpreted as a means to showcase its military power.

According to local media including Russia's RIA Novosti, on the 24th (local time), President Putin stated at the government science and education committee meeting, "This morning, a series of test launches of the hypersonic missile 'Tsirkon' were conducted," adding, "The tests were successfully carried out without any issues."

President Putin emphasized, "Tsirkon is Russia's latest missile capable of striking both maritime and land targets," and said, "The successful test is a significant event for our country and another step toward enhancing our security and defense capabilities." He also praised the scientists and engineers involved in the missile's development.

Tsirkon is a hypersonic cruise missile known to be nearly impossible to defend against with existing missile defense systems, flying at speeds up to Mach 9 (approximately 11,000 km/h) and capable of striking both land and sea targets. Russia began test launches of the Tsirkon missile in 2016 and has conducted about ten tests so far. It also conducted two test launches last month.

The Tsirkon missile is scheduled to be deployed operationally on Russian Navy surface ships and submarines once the test launches are completed. Earlier, on the 30th of last month, President Putin announced that the Tsirkon missile would be operationally deployed early next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.