JAKARTA - President Vladimir Putin sent Russia's newest frigate-type warship into the Atlantic Ocean, armed with a new generation of hypersonic cruise missiles on Wednesday, a signal to the West that Russia will not withdraw from war in Ukraine.
Russia, China, and the United States are racing to develop hypersonic weapons which are seen as a way to gain the advantage over any enemy due to its speed, above five times the speed of sound, and maneuverability.
In a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Igor Krokhmal, the frigate commander of "Admiral Gorshkov (417)", President Putin said the ship was armed with a Zircon hypersonic weapon (Tsirkon).
"This time the ship is equipped with the newest hypersonic missile system - 'Zirkon'," President Putin said.
"I believe such a powerful weapon will protect Russia from potential external threats," he said.
The weapon, said President Putin, "does not have an analog in any country in the world".
Last week, President Putin said Admiral Gorshkov's frigate with a new weapon system, would enter service in early January.
According to President Putin, Russia has no intention of provocation, but it will be a factor in strengthening strategic forces, as quoted by TASS.
More than 10 months since President Putin sent troops to Ukraine, no end can be seen from a war that has turned into a winter artillery battle, killing and injuring tens of thousands of troops on both sides.
Previously, Russia had also used the Kinzhal (Belati) hypersonic missile in Ukraine.
Along with the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle entering combat duty in 2019, Zircon became the backbone of Russia's hypersonic weaponry.
Russia sees the weapon as a way to penetrate increasingly sophisticated US missile defenses, which President Putin has warned one day could shoot down Russian nuclear missiles.
Meanwhile, Minister Shoigu said the Admiral Gorshkov frigate (417) would sail to the Atlantic Ocean, the Indies and into the Mediterranean Sea.
"This ship, armed with Zirkon, is capable of providing appropriate and strong attacks against enemies at sea and land," Shoigu explained.
Minister Shoigu said hypersonic missiles could overcome any missile defense system. The missile flies at a speed of nine times the speed of sound and has a range of more than 1,000 km, Shoigu said.
The main task of the cruise is to counter threats to Russia and maintain "regional peace and stability together with friendly countries", Shoigu said.
Separately, a report by the US Congressional Research Service on hypersonic weapons said Russian and Chinese hypersonic missiles were designed to be used with nuclear warheads.
The target of hypersonic weapons is much more difficult to calculate than intercontinental ballistic missiles due to their maneuverability.
Outside of Russia, the United States and China, a number of other countries are developing hypersonic weapons including Australia, France, Germany, South Korea, North Korea, and Japan, according to the US Congressional Research Service.
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