Russian Warship Equipped with Hypersonic Missiles Conducts Drill in English Channel
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – A Russian warship carrying Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles carried out drills in the English Channel earlier this month, Sky News reports. Russia began mass-producing Zircon missiles in 2023 in an effort to strengthen its nuclear weapons capability.
A Project 22350 frigate, the Admiral Golovko navy warship left its base in Severomorsk, Russia, on November 2 and reached the Pas De Calais section of the English Channel on Sunday, November 10, Sky News reports. Project 22350 ships are the largest type of warship in Russia’s current navy fleet and are designed for long-range missions.
The Golovko conducted counter-terrorism drills and training on avoiding dangerous targets, Sky News reports. The ship was fitted with 3S14 VLS cells, which can launch Kalibr, Oniks, or Zircon anti-ship cruise missiles. “The sea-based Zircon hypersonic missiles have a range of 900 km (560 miles), and can travel at several times the speed of sound, making it difficult to defend against them,” Sky News noted in its report.
The Golovko’s principal task was to “demonstrate the flag and ensure the naval presence in important areas of the off-shore maritime zone,” the Russian defense ministry said.
In a statement, the UK’s conservative shadow defense secretary James Cartlidge said the Russian Navy drill shows that Britain must boost its own military.
“[The Russian Navy’s] reports underline how Russian activity continues to pose a direct right on our doorstep, not just in Ukraine. That’s why it’s so important for the Government to set out a clear pathway to 2.5 percent of GDP being spent on defense – so that we can rearm at pace, and boost our deterrence,” Cartlidge said.
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