Russian military successfully tests a new hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile Tsirkon

Russia announced on October 7, 2020, that it has successfully tested a new hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile named Tsirkon. The test has been hailed by President Vladimir Putin as a great event for the nation.

The Russian Military has further informed that on the morning of October 6, 2020, the Tsirkon was fired from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate in the White Sea in the Russian Arctic. The missile had successfully hit its target.

Reportedly, the Chief of Russian Military’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov had informed President Putin that it was the first time that the missile had successfully struck a target at the sea.

Meeting with Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov: work on the Tsirkon hypersonic system https://t.co/VBGxcwxLPX pic.twitter.com/yYl0oQwvy2

— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) October 7, 2020

Test Fire of Tsirkon:

Valery Gerasimov explained that the Tsirkon missile had hit its target 450 kilometers away in the Barents Sea. The missile also hit a Mach 8 speed- eight times the speed of the sound. The defense ministry added that the plan was to equip both the submarines and warships with the Tsirkon.

While commenting on the success, President Vladimir Putin termed the test firing of Tsirkon as a great event not just in the life of Russia’s armed forces but for the entire country.

Russian President had earlier revealed the development of the new weapon in February 2019 in a state of the nation address and had informed that it will be able to hit targets at the sea as well as on land with a range of 1000 km and a speed of Mach 9.

Development of new weapons in Russia amid rising rivalry with west:

• In the last years, Russia has touted the development of the futuristic new weapons which the country hopes will give it an edge in any arms race with the US, especially at a time of growing tensions with the west.

• Russia has also always boasted about developing a number of invincible weapons that surpass the existing systems. It includes Burevestnik cruise missiles and Sarmat intercontinental missiles.

• The first Avangard hypersonic missiles were put into the service of the nation in December 2019.

Criticism from western experts:

The development of advanced weaponry in Russia however face constant criticism from the western thinkers. They further explain that the program of developing weapons does not entirely go without risks. It has been reported that 7 people were killed in an explosion at a missile test site in August 2019. The experts from the west link the blast to the work on Burevestnik.