Russia Launches Nuclear Submarine Armed With ‘Unstoppable’ Zircon Hypersonic Missile

Russia has launched the Perm, its first nuclear submarine equipped with the Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, which is reportedly impossible to intercept. The Perm, part of the Yasen-M class, will be commissioned into the Pacific Fleet next year. President Vladimir Putin hailed the launch as a milestone event, emphasizing Russia’s continued efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities. The Zircon missile, known for its Mach 8 speed and radar-evading plasma cloud, poses a major challenge to existing air defense systems.

Key Highlights of Russia’s Nuclear Submarine Launch

Submarine & Military Advancements

• Submarine Launched: Perm (Yasen-M class).
• Launch Location: Severodvinsk, Russia (Sevmash shipyard).
• Commissioning Timeline: Expected to join the Pacific Fleet in 2026.

Class & Role

• Multi-role submarine for naval and land-based attacks.
• First Yasen-class submarine to carry hypersonic missiles.
• Replaces: Akula and Oscar-class submarines.

Zircon Hypersonic Missile: A ‘Game-Changer’

• Speed: Mach 8 (9,900 km/h or 6,138 mph).
• Range: 500 – 1,000 km (311 – 621 miles).

Stealth Features

• Surrounded by a plasma cloud that absorbs radar waves, making it invisible to detection.

Interception Challenge

• Too fast for current air defense systems to counter effectively.

Combat Use

• Allegedly used in Ukraine (February 2024), per Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise.