Russia Commissions First-of-its-kind Nuclear Submarine With Zircon Missiles

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially commissioned the nuclear-powered submarine Perm, the first of its kind to be equipped with hypersonic Zircon missiles.

The event took place via videoconference from the Arctic port of Murmansk. Putin gave the launch command by declaring, “I hereby authorize!” as Perm was inducted into the Russian navy.

The submarine was built at the Sevmash Shipyard. Perm is the sixth Yasen-class submarine and the first to be specifically modified to carry Zircon missiles.

The Zircon, designated 3M22 Zircon (NATO: SS-N-33), is a hypersonic cruise missile capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 9 (over 6,800 mph) with a range of about 900 km (560 miles).

It is designed to evade modern missile defense systems and can be used for both anti-ship and land-attack missions. The missile can also carry conventional or nuclear warheads.

According to Russian military officials, the Zircon missile’s speed and maneuverability make it nearly impossible to intercept.

The integration of Perm enhances the country’s ability to strike high value targets with minimal response time from enemy defenses.

During his visit to Murmansk, Putin also inspected Arkhangelsk, another Yasen-M class submarine that was commissioned in December 2024.

He also toured Atomflot, the state enterprise managing Russia’s fleet of nuclear icebreakers. Per reports, Perm has undergone design modifications compared to earlier Yasen M class submarines.

However, specific details of the modifications made are not disclosed.

Yasen M submarines are known for their advanced sonar, communication and navigation systems as well as high precision weaponry and integrated robotic technologies.

The development of the Zircon missile began in the early 2010s, with test launches conducted between 2017 and 2019. By 2022, it was officially integrated into service and was initially deployed on Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates.

Some versions of the Zircon missile are either in use or under development, including:

Naval variant- It is launched from submarines and warships.

Ground based variant- It is designed for coastal defense and long range strikes.

Submarine launched variant- It enables stealth attacks from underwater platforms.

Potential air-launched variant- It could be carried by bombers for extended range missions.

Nuclear capable variant- It is developed for strategic deterrence.

Recently, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea following peace talks in Saudi Arabia. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of continuing hostilities despite negotiations.

References: interestingengineering, firstpost

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