Successfully Launches Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile From Frigate, Russia Targets Launch From Nuclear Submarine

JAKARTA - The Russian military has again successfully conducted a test-firing of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Monday, July 19 local time.

Citing TASS, this time the test fire was again carried out from aboard the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, with a target at a distance of more than 350 kilometers, with a missile cruise speed of up to Mach 7.

"According to live monitoring data, the Tsirkon missile successfully hit the target directly at a distance of more than 350 km. During the tests, the tactical and technical characteristics were confirmed. The flight speed reached almost Mach 7," the statement said.

In this test-firing of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile, the Admiral Gorshkov frigate was in the White Sea, while the distant surface target was on the coast of the Barents Sea.

The Ministry of Defense said the Tsirkon hypersonic missile system is planned to strengthen the armament of the surface ships and submarines of the Red Bear State Navy.

The test, which is not clearly stated when it will be carried out, is both slower and faster than the two previous information regarding the planned shooting test.

As reported earlier, President Vladimir Putin in a three-day meeting with leaders of the Ministry of Defense and Russian defense companies last May said the Tsirkon cross-ship hypersonic missile system was in the final stages of testing in June, with the firing of the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, which was successful last year fired three tests of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile.

"Let me note, defense companies and the Ministry of Defense have established effective interactions in the delivery and maintenance of weapons and hardware, from development and serial production to maintenance and repair," said President Putin at the time.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, July 18, a source at the Russian military-industrial complex said the test-firing of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile will be held in August, divided into two stages of implementation.

"The first launch of the frigate Admiral Gorshkov in state trials is planned for the first part of August. The second part of August will see the test firing of the Zircon from the Severodvinsk nuclear submarine," the source said.