Which country had successfully test launched a Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missile from a submarine?

Correct option is A

​Correct Answer: (a) Russia

• Russia successfully test-launched the Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missile from a submarine in October 2020.

• The Tsirkon missile is a scramjet-powered, hypersonic cruise missile capable of reaching speeds of Mach 8 (eight times the speed of sound), making it highly difficult to intercept by existing missile defense systems.

• The test launch from the submarine Severodvinsk was a major milestone in Russia’s efforts to develop advanced hypersonic weaponry, part of its broader military modernization program.

• The missile can be launched from surface ships and submarines, making it a versatile weapon in Russia's naval arsenal.

• • A nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile designed to strike both land-based and naval targets.

  • The missile's speed and maneuverability make it an extremely challenging target for current defense systems.

• Hypersonic Missiles:

  • Hypersonic weapons travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 and have the ability to maneuver mid-flight, which makes them hard to intercept.

  • Russia, the United States, and China are leading nations in the development of hypersonic weapons.

• Launch from Submarine: This test demonstrated Russia’s ability to deploy hypersonic weapons from submarine platforms, further enhancing its naval capabilities.