Hypersonic Missile-Equipped Russian Frigate Conducts Major Drills in English Channel

A Russian Navy warship, the RFS Admiral Golovko, equipped with Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles, has carried out drills in the English Channel. The drills included counter-terrorism exercises, where the ship repelled simulated air and sea drone attacks.

After completing exercises in the Barents, Norwegian, and North seas, the warship was escorted by the Royal Navy’s HMS Iron Duke. The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Admiral Golovko passed through the Pas-de-Calais, the narrowest part of the channel, on Sunday after departing from its base in Severomorsk, Russia, on November 2.

The primary goal of the mission was to "demonstrate the flag and ensure naval presence in key offshore maritime zones," as stated by the Ministry.

This marks the first long-distance mission for the Admiral Golovko since it joined the Russian Navy in December of the previous year. Prior to its service, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the warship would be outfitted with new-generation Zircon missiles, which have a range of 900km (560 miles) and can travel at speeds several times the speed of sound, making them difficult to defend against.

In 2023, President Vladimir Putin ordered the mass production of Zircon missiles as part of efforts to strengthen Russia’s nuclear capabilities. These missiles are claimed to have the ability to bypass US missile defense systems.

During the drills, the crew of the Admiral Golovko practiced anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defense and conducted a rescue operation using Ka-27 helicopters.

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