Russian Project 20385 corvettes Gremyashchy and Provorny have received an upgraded universal shipborne firing complex (UKSK) with eight cells for launching various types of cruise missiles. The updated launcher allows the use of not only Onyx and Kalibr cruise missiles, but also hypersonic Zircon missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the intention to arm at least one Project 20385 ship with the latest Zircon hypersonic missiles back in 2019 during a visit to the then-under-construction Gremyashchy.
Military expert Dmitry Kornev reminded that Zircon missiles are very difficult to intercept with currently existing air defense systems.
It is believed that Zircon is the best means of combating enemy warships. Corvettes can now confidently operate against ships of their class, frigates, destroyers, and even aircraft carriers. To break through the defenses of an aircraft carrier strike group (AUG), several ships will have to be involved. At the same time, eight hypersonic missiles from our corvette may be enough to hit the main target of the AUG — the aircraft carrier.
Analyst Dmitry Boltenkov also expressed the opinion that corvettes will be able to operate not only in the near sea zone. He recalled that the Pacific Fleet currently has several corvettes of the previous Project 20380 — and they are constantly going on long voyages.
Their Black Sea classmate, Mercury, is based in the Mediterranean Sea. The Project 20385 ships have better capabilities, and they will be able to operate far from their shores.
It is known from open sources that the missile from the Zircon complex is capable of developing a speed equal to 9 Mach numbers (speeds of sound) and has a range of more than 1,000 km.
Earlier, Putin announced the need to produce medium- and short-range missiles. According to the President of Russia, the deployment of such missiles by the United States causes concern in the Russian Federation.
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