Russia Unveils Groundbreaking Nuclear Submarine Armed with Zircon Missiles

Image Credits: Kremlin

In a meaningful move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially introduced the nuclear-powered submarine Perm, marking a milestone as the first vessel of its kind outfitted with hypersonic Zircon missiles.The proclamation was made during a videoconference from Murmansk, an arctic port. With a decisive “I hereby authorize!” Putin welcomed Perm into the Russian navy.Constructed at sevmash Shipyard, Perm is not just any submarine; it’s the sixth in the Yasen-class series and uniquely tailored to carry Zircon missiles.

The 3M22 Zircon (NATO designation: SS-N-33) is no ordinary missile. It boasts hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 9—over 6,800 mph—and can strike targets nearly 900 kilometers (about 560 miles) away. its design allows it to dodge contemporary missile defense systems effectively and serves dual purposes for both anti-ship operations and land assaults. Plus,it can be armed with either conventional or nuclear warheads.

Russian military sources assert that due to its incredible speed and agility, intercepting a Zircon missile is almost unachievable.

With Perm now part of Russia’s naval fleet, the country considerably boosts its capability to hit high-value targets swiftly while minimizing enemy response times.

During his visit to Murmansk, Putin also took time to check out Arkhangelsk—a Yasen-M class submarine that joined the fleet in December 2024—and toured Atomflot, which oversees Russia’s nuclear icebreaker fleet. Notably, reports indicate that Perm features design tweaks compared to earlier Yasen M submarines; however, specifics on these changes remain under wraps.Yasen M submarines are recognized for their cutting-edge sonar systems and advanced weaponry integrated with robotic technologies for enhanced precision in combat scenarios.The journey of developing the Zircon missile began back in the early 2010s with test launches occurring between 2017 and 2019. By mid-2022, it was officially operational on Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates.

there are various iterations of this formidable missile currently either deployed or being developed:

1. Naval Variant – designed for launch from submarines or surface ships.
2. ground-Based Variant – Tailored for coastal defense missions.
3. Submarine-Launched Variant – Enables stealthy underwater strikes.
4. Potential Air-Launched Variant – could extend range capabilities when carried by bombers.
5. Nuclear-Capable Version – Aimed at strategic deterrence efforts.

In recent developments related to regional tensions, Russia and Ukraine reached a ceasefire agreement concerning activities in the Black Sea after peace discussions held in Saudi Arabia; however, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of persisting hostilities despite ongoing negotiations.

references: interestingengineering.com | firstpost.com