Russia begins the mass production of Tsirkon hypersonic missiles

According to a Russian TASS industry source, Russia’s Military-Industrial Corporation Research and Industrial Association of Machine Building (MIC NPO Mashinostroyenia) in the Moscow Region town of Reutovo has begun serial manufacturing of Tsirkon hypersonic missiles for the country’s Navy.

“Serial manufacture of Tsirkon missiles is underway at the NPO Mashinostroyenia,” the source said, “but state trials of this product’s surface launches will continue.”

On November 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile experiments were nearing completion and that the missiles will be delivered to the Russian Navy early next year. On November 18, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu briefed Putin on the successful test launch of a Tsirkon hypersonic missile in the White Sea.

A source in the domestic military sector informed TASS earlier this week that after two successful test launches, flight development testing of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile from an underwater carrier would start in 2024 from the Project 885M (Yasen-M) modified nuclear-powered submarine Perm.

For the first time on October 4, the nuclear-powered submarine Severodvinsk fired the missile from its surface and submerged positions in the White Sea.

According to a source, the state trials of the hypersonic missile will begin in November and continue through December. Five test launches against the sea and coastal targets are planned in total. A contract for the delivery of Tsirkon hypersonic missiles to the Russian military was signed on August 24, 2021, during the Army 2021 international arms show.

Tsirkon is a multi-purpose hypersonic missile designed to strike both sea and land targets.

President Putin previously stated that the missile is capable of flying at Mach 9 (nine times the speed of sound) and attacking targets at distances of over 1,000 kilometers would be activated soon.

Tsirkon hypersonic missile systems will be installed on Russian submarines and surface ships.

Six Project 885M submarines are currently being built at the Sevmash Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation). The Project 885 and Project 885M lead submarines Severodvinsk and Kazan are in operational service with the Russian Navy, respectively, while the Project 885M first serial-built sub-Novosibirsk is undergoing trials and is expected to enter service with the Navy by the end of this year.

Check out Naval Library App to find out more about the specifications of the Tsirkon hypersonic missiles.