The Russian Ministry of Defence has unveiled the first footage of the M22 Zircon 3 hypersonic cruise missile during a training exercise, marking a significant milestone in the modernisation of Russia’s naval forces.
The Zircon missile boasts an impressive combination of a long engagement range of 1,000 kilometres and a staggering speed of Mach 9 (approximately 159 kilometres per minute). This kinetic energy is reportedly powerful enough to “split most warships in half.”
Primarily designed as an anti-ship missile, the Zircon also possesses secondary land-attack capabilities. Its blend of speed, manoeuvrability, and low-altitude terminal flight phase renders it nearly impossible to intercept with current air defence systems, cementing its status as a formidable addition to modern warfare.
