Russia Arms Su-57 With Hypersonic Zircon Missile; Will India Buy The World’s Fastest Stealth Fighter? | World News
Moscow: Russia has announced that the Fifth Generation Secret Fighter aircraft, Su-57, is now equipped with hypersonic strike ability. Lieutenant General Alexander Maksimtsev, Mother Personnel Chief and Deputy Commander of the Russian Aviation Forces, confirmed that the SU-57 is now operational with a new generation hypersonic weapons, including the Zircon missile.
It points to a major leap in Russia’s military aviation. Maksimtsev said that SU-57 deliveries have been accelerated as part of a wider pressure to modernize the Air Force. Although the reports of this capability have emerged before, this points to the first official confirmation that the missile system is fully integrated with the war platform.
Russia’s new strategic advantage
The 3m22 recirculation missile is one of Russia’s most advanced weapons. He first entered service with the Russian navy in 2023 and was already deployed to the submarines. It is a prominent speed (Mach 9 or about 11,000 km per hour). The range extends up to 1,000 kilometers.
The missile is designed to avoid all known air defense systems. Only kinetic energy gives the capacity to seriously damage or destroy large sea targets, such as aircraft carriers. High speed and maneuverability make the intervention extremely difficult, although not impossible.
It leaves the West behind in hypersonic arms
Russia claims that no Western missile in service is currently matched with the performance of Zircon. The US’s fastest operational hypersonic system, SM-6, is limited to MACH 3.5 and has a maximum range of 450 kilometers.
China, the YJ-21 missile can match the zircon, but European countries have not so far equivalent, he said. This positions Russia too much for operational hypersonic technology.
A hidden, deadly combo
The SU-57 fighter aircraft has the latest technology hidden technology that makes it very difficult to detect on radar. When Zircon is now integrated into the Gulf of the Inner Weapon, the missile remains hidden until it is launched. This gives Russia the ability to strike without warning in advance.
Warrior has been developed for long -range sensitive attacks at high speeds. Already more than 400 kilometers of range R-77m Air-Havaya has been armed with missiles.
In 2023, Russia tested a new cruise missile based on KH-101/102 and was able to achieve targets of 3,500 kilometers away.
Will India think about the Su-57 for the Air Force?
India has so far refused to buy American F-35 fighter aircraft. The SU-57 is now boasting both hidden and hypersonic abilities, while some defense experts ask if India will return to Moscow for new generation planes.
India and Russia share a long -standing defense partnership. If the new Delhi chooses to buy SU-57, it can significantly increase the long-range strike capabilities of the Indian Air Force and provide an advantage in future conflicts. The potential agreement will also reflect India’s confidence in Russian technology and developing military doctrine in an increasingly unpredictable global landscape.
