Kalashnikov Starts Delivery Of Modified Version Of The Vikhr-1 Missile, Has High Efficiency On Ukraine's Battlefield

Test-firing of the Vikhr missile from the Ka-52 Alligator Helicopter. (Source: Kalashnikov Group)

JAKARTA - Russian defense industry giant Kalashnikov Concern has developed and started shipping modified versions of the Vikhr-1 flight missile with enhanced combat capabilities for Russia, said Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov.

Russia's Ministry of Defense periodically reports the success of destroying Western-made armored vehicles with these missiles. Experts note, because of the tandem warhead, the Vikhr missile was capable of destroying almost all of the Western-made tanks.

"We have started a new production modification called Vikhr-1 with expanded combat capabilities. I will not comment on that further, it is our client's prerogative. However, I can say that we have started serial production and have made deliveries," Lushnikov said in an interview with TASS, quoted December 31.

In early August, Lushnikov told TASS the company was working with production companies to adapt the Vikhr-1 missile so that it could be used from unmanned aircraft.

The Vikhr-guided missile is designed to destroy armored targets moving on land with reactive armored layers, as well as medium-speed aerial targets (helikopter, assault aircraft and unmanned aircraft).

This year, Rostec announced that the use of this ammunition in the special military operations area (Ukraine war sedan) has been expanded. The state company said the missile is now being used to destroy not only enemy armored vehicles, but also Ukrainian weapons deployment sites and hidden targets.

In July, the Kalashnikov press office said the missile showed high efficiency in special military operations in Ukraine and was urgently needed.

"As the management of the Kalashnikov Group highlighted, the missile launched from the air of Vikhr shows high efficiency in the special military operations area, which makes it a much-needed weapon. In addition, these missiles have great potential to be upgraded and this is what the Kalashnikov Group is working on," the press office said.

The crew of Russian Ka-52M reconnaissance/attacking helicopters reliably destroyed various targets of Ukrainian soldiers with missiles launched from the Vikhr-1 air on the front lines, the press office said.

It is known, this missile is capable of penetrating a 1000 mm thick armored region. The maximum range during the day is 10 kilometers.