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Russia designs mobile launcher for Tsirkon hypersonic missile – source

The installation will carry two missiles

MOSCOW, November 4. /TASS/. Russian defense enterprises have designed and manufactured the prototype of a mobile launcher for Tsirkon hypersonic missiles, to be a part of a coastal defense missile system, a source close to Russia’s military establishment has told TASS.

"The prototype of a mobile launcher of a coastal defense missile system, using a Tsirkon hypersonic missile, has already been created. As was the case with the Bastion system, the launcher will carry two missiles," he said.

TASS was unable to officially confirm this information at the time of the publication.

Earlier, sources close to Russia’s military establishment told TASS that a new coastal defense system for the advanced Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile is now in development in Russia. It was expected to enter service with the Russian Navy by the end of 2022. One of the sources said that the new system, just like its predecessor Bastion that employs Oniks (export name Yakhont) missiles, will have the capacity to strike both ground-based and sea targets.

The Tsirkon’s exact performance characteristics are classified. The hypersonic missile was engineered and is produced by the Reutovo-based Research and Production Association of Machine-Building (part of Tactical Missiles Corporation). During the state trials, the missile was successfully test-fired from a surface ship (Project 22350 frigate Admiral Gorshkov) and from an underwater carrier, the nuclear-powered submarine Severodvinsk.

In his State-of-the-Nation Address to the Federal Assembly in February 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Tsirkon was capable of developing a speed of about Mach 9 (nine times the speed of sound) and its striking range capability could exceed 1,000 km. On August 24, 2021, a contract was signed at the Army 2021 international arms show on the delivery of Tsirkon hypersonic missiles to Russia’s Defense Ministry.