Russia’s hypersonic Zircon missile is important for maintaining strategic stability, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the development of the country’s navy, reports RBC news agency.

“This weapon is becoming extremely important for maintaining strategic stability, as well as the destroyers and universal landing ships,” the Russian leader remarked.

According to the president, the rate at which the combat capabilities of the Russian Navy grow will determine whether or not these missiles are adopted by naval frigates and submarines according to plan.

In order to grow the navy’s combat capabilities, there needs to be coordinated interaction between the organs of government and military command, as well as industry and science within the country, Putin observed.

Putin first unveiled plans to develop the Zircon missile during his address to the Federal Assembly in February 2019. He claimed that the missile could fly at around Mach 9 (nine times the speed of sound in air), with a range of more than 1,000 km, and destroy both land and sea targets. The Russian president said that submarines and surface vessels would be armed with such missiles.

In October, while visiting the Gremyashchiy corvette, Putin spoke of plans to equip the ship, which is currently undergoing its final stages of testing, with Zircon missiles.

  Zircon missile, Putin, Russia

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