President Putin Makes Sure the Admiral Gorshkov Frigate Operates in January, Equipped with Mach 9 Missiles and a Range of 1.000 Km

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Thursday that the Admiral Gorshkov (417) warship, which has undergone planned maintenance, will begin operations and carry out missions in the seas.

"In early January, we will see the Admiral Gorshkov Frigate entering service, new weapons systems are already being tested there," President Putin said, cited from TASS, December 23.

According to President Putin, Russia has no intention of provocation, but it will become a factor in strengthening strategic power.

"Although these weapon systems have an intermediate range, they have such a speed specification that gives us a certain advantage in this regard," he added.

During Wednesday's Defense Ministry board meeting President Putin also said the frigate, armed with the Tsirkon hypersonic missile, would enter service in January 2023.

Earlier, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia had launched serial deliveries of the advanced Tsirkon hypersonic missile to the Russian Navy.

"We have launched serial deliveries of the Navy-based Tsirkon hypersonic missile," Minister Shoigu said.

"The frigate Admiral Gorshkov with the leading Tsirkon seaborne hypersonic missile system is undergoing final preparations before embarking on a mission in the world's oceans," he stressed.

In his State of the Union address to the Federal Assembly in February 2019, President Putin said the Tsirkon missile was capable of reaching speeds of around Mach 9 (nine times the speed of sound), with a range exceeding 1.000 km.