Russians face a resounding failure: their hypersonic missiles

Besides the drones, used by both the Russian and Ukrainian sides, the large-scale invasion of Ukraine allowed Russia to deploy one of its "most powerful" military technologies, supposed to be the prerogative of its industry and that of China, namely hypersonic weapons. Supposed to be revolutionary, they're proving to be a flop on the ground.

According to experts, their use in Ukraine is a world first for hypersonic weaponry. Russia's arsenal consists of Avangard, Kinjal, and Zircon missiles. As the media GEO indicates, on paper, the speed and power of the Russian hypersonic missiles leave little room for doubt regarding their effectiveness... And yet.

It seems that Moscow has limited the deployment of this type of missile, which requires advanced engineering and materials to withstand high temperatures. Strangled by sanctions, Russia has also had difficulty producing them on a large scale, prioritising drones.

Weapons too vulnerable

Moreover, it has been observed in Ukraine that the currently built hypersonic missiles were particularly vulnerable to conventional air defence systems, highlights GEO. In May 2023, Kyiv claimed to have intercepted a Kinzhal missile, for the first time, using an American Patriot air defence system. Barely 12 days later, Ukrainian forces reported intercepting six more, via the same system. It was also reported by The Economist, according to some Ukrainian sources, that the Kinzhals destroyed in May 2023 were flying at speeds lower than those expected of a hypersonic missile.

On the ground, Russian hypersonic weapons have thus disappointed, not delivering the expected effects. However, Forbes estimates that the systems will continue to evolve, particularly with artificial intelligence, and will then become (truly) formidable. Hoping that peace finds a way, before these technological advances.

(MH with Manon Pierre - Source: GEO - Illustration: ©Unsplash)