Russia has long been known for its advanced missile industry, ranging from large space transport rockets to military weapon systems. While Russia’s space industry has not seen many advancements in recent years and still depends on Soviet-era technology, its cruise missile program is currently experiencing a strong revival.
Russia has consistently led in the production of effective and accurate cruise missiles. In this article, Thefactsofwar will not compare which cruise missile is the best in the world but will highlight the 5 most dangerous and exceptional Russian cruise missiles.
This list is classified based on various criteria, including:
- Range
- Combat experience
- Size
- Warhead
- Accuracy
- Striking power, and other factors.
P-700 Granite (SS-N-19 Shipwreck)
The P-700 Granite is a powerful Russian cruise missile designed as an anti-ship weapon. Originally deployed by the Russian Navy, it was developed to counter large naval targets and operated from 1985 to 1992.
Main features:
- Type: Anti-ship cruise missile
- NATO designation: SS-N-19 Shipwreck
- Launch platform: Submarines, specifically Oscar, Kirov, and Kuznetsov classes
- Weight: 7,000 kg
- Warhead: Capable of carrying a nuclear warhead with an explosive yield of 500 kilotons TNT
Performance:
- Speed:
- .6 Mach at low altitude
- 2.5 Mach at high altitude
- Range: Approximately 630 km
- Engine: Turbojet engine providing stable long-range performance
The P-700 Granite was an advanced missile in its time, capable of destroying large naval fleets. Its combination of speed, range, and nuclear capability made it an essential part of the Soviet Navy’s arsenal during the Cold War. Though retired and replaced by the more modern Zircon missile, the P-700 Granite remains an important milestone in Russian missile technology.
This missile has been decommissioned and replaced by a more modern missile, the Zircon, which continues to develop Russia’s naval strike capabilities. The P-700 Granite was never exported and was only used by Russian forces. Although it has been decommissioned, it remains an important milestone in Russian missile technology.
Kh-55 (AS-15 ‘Kent’)
The Kh-55 is a Russian cruise missile still used by the Russian Navy. It is an air-launched subsonic cruise missile. In NATO classification, it is designated AS-15 ‘Kent.’
Main features:
- Type: Air-launched cruise missile
- NATO designation: AS-15 ‘Kent’
- Launch platform: Bomber aircraft, including Tu-160, Tu-95MS, and Su-34
- First produced: 1981
- Weight: Two versions:
- 1,650 kg
- 2,400 kg
- Warhead: Nuclear warhead with a yield of 200 kilotons TNT
Performance:
- Speed: Between 0.6 and 0.8 Mach
- Range: Varies between 300 km and 3,500 km, depending on altitude, speed, and warhead type
- Guidance system:
- Inertial navigation system
- Radar
- thermal guidance, and active radar homing
In 2015, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that Russian bombers launched 34 Kh-55 missiles during a daily operation in Syria to strike ISIS positions. The Kh-55 demonstrated its effectiveness and flexibility in real-world missions, especially when deployed by Russia’s strategic bombers.
P-270 Moskit
The P-270 Moskit is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile from Russia, capable of being launched from aircraft, warships, or ground-based vehicles with pneumatic launch tubes. First produced in 1983, it is still in use today.
Main features:
- Type: Supersonic anti-ship cruise missile
- Launch platforms:
- Aircraft (mainly Su-27 and Su-33)
- warships
- and ground vehicles with modified launchers
- Countries using: Russia, Egypt, India, Vietnam, Iran, North Korea
- Weight: 4,500 kg
Performance:
- Range: Up to 250 km
- Warhead:
- Can carry either a 300 kg or 150 kg thermonuclear
- warhead with a yield of 120 kilotons TNT
- Speed: 3 Mach
- Guidance system:
- Inertial navigation system
- active thermal radar
The P-270 Moskit was designed to destroy sea targets with high speed and immense destructive power. Its ability to be launched from various platforms provides flexibility in combat. Its presence in countries like Vietnam, India, and Egypt highlights its strategic importance in protecting maritime territories and deterring adversaries.
Kh-101
The Kh-101 is a secretive Russian missile project first publicly known in the 1990s. Its primary goal is to replace the Kh-55, which was retired and considered one of Russia’s most dangerous cruise missiles.
Main features:
- Type: Strategic cruise missile
- Weight: 2,200–2,400 kg
- Warhead: Conventional warhead weighing 400–450 kg
- Range: 4,500–5,500 km
- Max flight altitude: 6 km
- Guidance system:
- Electronic flight path correction
- video and thermal guidance systems
Although the Kh-101 has not yet been officially adopted into Russia’s military, state testing has been completed. It is currently being mass-produced and is expected to be deployed by 2023.
The Tu-160 and Tu-95MSM strategic bombers will be the primary platforms for the Kh-101 missile. With long range, a large warhead, and advanced guidance technology, the Kh-101 is expected to become an essential part of Russia’s defense and offensive strategy, replacing older cruise missiles and enhancing its military deterrence capabilities.
3M-54 Kalibr
The 3M-54 Kalibr is one of the most advanced cruise missiles in Russia, ranking high in terms of versatility. It can be launched from warships, submarines, and fighter aircraft, depending on the version.
Main features:
- Type: Multi-role cruise missile
- Speed: Supersonic, ranging from 2.5 to 2.9 Mach
- Engine: Turbo engine with solid fuel, multi-stage
- Guidance system:
- Inertial navigation system
- active thermal radar
- Digitized Scene-Mapping Area Correlator (DSMAC)
- Range:
- Varies depending on the version, from 50 km to 2,500 km
- Warhead:
- 400-500 kg explosive or
- thermonuclear warhead
- Production: The Kalibr missile has been produced in mass since 1994.
- Versions:
- Five versions for the Russian domestic market
- and 11 versions for international exports.
- Countries using: Russia, Algeria, India, Vietnam, China, Iran
- Since 2015, the Kalibr missile has been extensively used by the Russian Air Force in the Syrian civil war. In 2022, it was deployed in the conflict in Libya between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Government of National Unity forces.
- In 2022, it was deployed in the conflict in Libya between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Government of National Unity forces.
With its ability to be launched from various platforms, supersonic speed, and high flexibility, the 3M-54 Kalibr is a critical weapon in Russia’s strategic arsenal. Its widespread export and real-world combat effectiveness have solidified its position internationally.
Conclusion
Through this article, Thefactsofwar hopes to provide a comprehensive view of Russian cruise missiles, from retired models like the P-700 Granite to modern missiles like the 3M-54 Kalibr. The standout features of range, speed, and real-world combat capabilities of each missile demonstrate Russia’s dominance in defense weapon technology. This article also emphasizes the strategic role of Russian cruise missiles in global conflicts and reaffirms their military deterrence power.
