OREANDA-NEWS. The Russian military conducted the first test launch of a Zircon hypersonic missile from a submarine.

Prior to this, the Zircon was launched from a surface ship.

"The Russian Navy tested the Zircon hypersonic missile from the Severodvinsk nuclear submarine for the first time. The firing was carried out at a conditional sea target in the Barents Sea," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"According to the objective control data, the missile's flight corresponded to the specified parameters, it hit a conditional target. The test firing of a Zircon missile from a nuclear submarine was recognized as successful," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The Russian Defense Ministry on Monday morning published footage of the Zircon launch by a submarine. According to the video, the shooting was carried out in the dark.

Prior to this, the military reported on successful test launches of the Zircon from the frigate of the Russian Northern Fleet Admiral Gorshkov, in particular, in July this year, as well as in December, November and October 2020.

Severodvinsk, which tested the Zircon rocket, is a fourth-generation multipurpose nuclear submarine. Admitted to the Russian Navy in 2014.

"This is a serious event for the Russian Navy. The speed characteristics of the missile are beyond question. No one has protection against the Zircon," retired admiral Viktor Kravchenko, former chief of the Russian Navy's main headquarters, commented on the new tests.

"In the near future, submarines will also be equipped with Zircons, which will strengthen the capabilities of our Navy to fight, including against aircraft carrier groups," Kravchenko told Interfax on Monday.

Serial deliveries of the Zircon sea missile to the Russian Armed Forces are scheduled for 2022, Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said on January 29.

On August 24, at the Army-2021 forum, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the signing of a contract for the supply of new Zircon hypersonic naval missiles (Tactical Missile Armament Corporation, KTRV).