Final testing of Tsircon hypersonic missile in 2019
Russia’s new 3M22 Tsirkon hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile is still in preliminary testing currently being carried out by its manufacturer NPO Mashinostroenya, with first flights test reported as far back as 2017.
Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed the update to the programme during his annual address to the Federal Assembly on 19 February.
The Tsirkon’s final testing to be undertaken by the Russian Navy from surface ships and submarines is slated for this year, while fielding into service is expected to take place by 2020 at the earliest.
According to Putin the missile’s top speed is Mach 9 and has
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks
Ukraine’s combat-proven Magura uncrewed surface vessel is attracting Gulf state interest as the Iran war exposes gaps in layered maritime air defence, raising questions about whether low-cost attritable systems can gain a foothold in a procurement culture historically drawn to high-end Western platforms.
-
Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win
Naval Group has secured a contract to supply four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention frigates to the Royal Swedish Navy, extending the French naval industry’s reach into Northern Europe and showing why speed to capability has become the defining criterion in today’s defence procurement contests.
-
SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations
US Naval Special Warfare Command is assessing the feasibility of rapidly producing expendable mid-sized USVs in theatre to support SOF and maritime security missions.
-
SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system
MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.