Russia Deploys New 9M729 Novator Missiles, Putting Europe on High Alert

Military experts explained that the new ground-launched cruise missile has a range and flight profile that compare it to the Kalibr

The Russian armed forces have 9M729 Novator (SSC-X-8) cruise missiles, which are part of the Iskander-M/K complexes' ammunition load. In terms of design, these missiles are similar to the 9M728 tactical cruise missiles, and in terms of capabilities, they are comparable to the 3M14T Kalibr-NK sea-launched cruise missile. Military experts conducted a relevant analysis and presented their conclusions about the capabilities of the modernized missile.

9P78-1 self-propelled launcher of the 9K720 Iskander-M OTRK
Image source Vitaly Kuzmin

According to the technical description, the 9M729's sustainer engine is a non-retractable turbojet engine (R-95-300 / RDK-300) with a thrust of about 400 kgf, built into the missile's body, which reduces the effective reflecting surface and makes it difficult to detect. To reach the cruising mode, a two-mode solid-propellant booster is used, which separates after completion of work.

The missile's navigation system includes inertial navigation with correction via satellite systems (GPS/GLONASS), sideslip angle sensors, and, probably, a radio altimeter. The missile is capable of flying at low altitudes, contouring the terrain at altitudes of about 50 meters, which makes it difficult to detect and intercept.

Experts point out that the missile has a flight range comparable to tactical cruise missiles (more than 500 kilometers) and can engage targets at a distance of about 2,500 kilometers or more. This means that the 9M729 is approaching the Kalibr-NK in terms of its characteristics.

3M-54E Kalibr missile
Image source Commons.wikimedia

When launching a missile from the Bryansk region, a range of 2,500 km allows for long-term maneuvering and significant coverage of Europe; when deployed in the Murmansk region, it poses a threat to objects in Sweden, Norway and Finland; when deployed in the Republic of Belarus, it is possible to hit objects anywhere in Great Britain and on the territory of continental Europe.

Thus, the design and guidance features of the 9M729, as well as the declared flight range, make this system potentially capable of hitting remote European targets when deployed in certain areas of Russian territory and in neighboring friendly states.

Earlier,www1.ru reported thata new batch of Su-35S fighters was transferred by UAC to the Russian Aerospace Forces.