On March 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin officiated the launch of the nuclear-powered submarine “Perm,” the first vessel specifically designed to carry the advanced 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles.
The “Perm” is the sixth submarine in the Yasen and Yasen-M class series, constructed by the Sevmash shipyard. It incorporates modifications from earlier models to accommodate the Zircon missiles, which are known for their high speed and range of approximately 900 kilometers, making them challenging to defend against.
The Zircon missile is capable of speeds exceeding Mach 9 and has a range of over 1,000 kilometers, enabling it to strike both land and naval targets effectively.
The launch ceremony took place via video link from the Arctic port of Murmansk. During his visit, President Putin also toured the “Arkhangelsk” submarine, part of the same class, and visited the Atomflot enterprise, responsible for managing Russia’s icebreaker fleet.
This development underscores Russia’s commitment to enhancing its naval capabilities, particularly in the Arctic region, which is becoming increasingly significant due to potential new trade routes and accessible resources as ice melts.
