Russia’s next-gen hypersonic ‘dagger’ missile to be unveiled to public at Moscow V-day parade
The cutting-edge Kinzhal missile will be presented to the public during Victory Day parade in Moscow, the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has announced. The weapon is designed to penetrate all known defenses.
“Modernized MiG-31K interceptor aircraft equipped with the most advanced hypersonic Kinzhal missiles … will take part in the fly-over during the celebrations,” Shoigu said during a teleconference at the Defense Ministry.
The two interceptors, armed with Russia’s recently unveiled brand new weapons, will fly over the iconic Red Square at a height of just 300 meters and a speed of some 600 kilometers per hour, the Russian Vesti News reported.
Kinzhal (Russian for ‘dagger’) is an air-launched hypersonic missile that has been undergoing trials in the Russian Armed Forces since December 2017, RIA news agency reports. The new missile was first unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 1, alongside some other advanced weapons.
The missile is launched from high-altitude aircraft, such as the MiG-31K, has an effective range of 2,000km and is able to penetrate all existing and even prospective air-defense systems, while travelling 10 times faster than the speed of sound.
The munition is highly maneuverable and can be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads. In late March, the commander of the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM), Air Force General John Hyten, admitted that the US does not have “any defense that could deny the employment of such a weapon” against its forces. He also described the situation as “very difficult” when he was asked about the defense capabilities the US have against a potential hypersonic attack.
Kinzhal will not be the only Russian cutting-edge weapon to be presented at the Victory Day parade. Shoigu also said that the fifth-gen Russian Su-57 fighters will also take part in the fly-over during the celebrations.
Designed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi, the multi-role Su-57 fighter, also known as Sukhoi PAK-FA (T-50), boasts supermaneuverability and can fly at hypersonic cruising speeds. The fighter is able to engage targets equally on the ground as in the air. In late February, the fifth-gen aircraft were deployed to Syria to perform two days of combat tests.
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