Russian Frigate Equipped With Hypersonic Missiles Conducts Military Drills In English Channel

A Russian naval vessel equipped with new hypersonic missiles has conducted military drills in the English Channel and is now heading into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Admiral Golovko, a project 22350 frigate, is on its first long-distance voyage since joining the Russian Navy in December 2023.

While passing through the channel, the frigate conducted counter-terrorism exercises with mock attacks from air and sea drones. The ship is equipped with Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missiles, which can travel at speeds much faster than sound, making them difficult to defend against.

The Admiral Golovko left its base in Severomorsk, Russia, on November 2 and crossed the English Channel on its way to the Atlantic.

Per the Russian state media, the ship’s mission was to show Russia’s naval presence in important sea areas, especially in international waters.

This mission is the ship’s first major deployment since it was commissioned last year.

Zircon missiles, with a range of 900 kilometers (560 miles), are a key part of Russia’s growing hypersonic weaponry. The missiles are capable of hitting targets at incredible speeds, making them a formidable weapon for the Russian Navy.

President Vladimir Putin ordered the mass production of Zircon missiles in 2023 to boost Russia’s defense capabilities.

The Admiral Golovko is the first Russian warship to be equipped with these advanced missiles. The ship’s advanced weapons are installed in response to the growing threats from Western missile defence systems and could be used to shoot down nuclear missiles someday.

References: Reuters, Sky News

Source: Maritime Shipping News