The recent years have seen some giant steps made toward the development of new generation missile systems in Russia, seriously challenging naval forces all over the world. In the past time, the Russian Ministry of Defense, under the leadership of Sergey Shoigu, has openly declared the great necessity for multi-purpose ships that would be equipped with high-precision missile systems, able to hit not only aircraft carriers but, at the same time, the vital infrastructure and objects of the naval force of the enemy nation or a ship strike group.
Now all eyes turn to the linchpin of US naval supremacy: aircraft carriers. These workhorses of the sea, operating as part of carrier strike groups, are protected by a multi-tiered defensive perimeter that includes, among other things, close-in weapon systems, in particular, CIWS, medium-range missiles, and long-range air defense systems. The air space around these groups is meticulously monitored by carrier-borne AEW&CS platforms, and hence, this controversy of subsonic cruise missiles of the Kalibr ilk does not hold much promise against such an adversary.
Currently, the Russian Navy’s primary anti-aircraft carrier is the P-700 Granit missile. This Mach 2.5+ at high altitude behemoth weighs 7,000 kg, and its warhead is powered by 750 kg. One can cripple an aircraft carrier with one hit by Granit, even if it carries a conventional offensive warhead. But then again, the Russians have only two cruisers operational, limiting the danger of this missile—the Kirov-class Pyotr Velikiy and the Admiral Nakhimov.
Another Russian asset is the P-800 Oniks missile. This is another vessel-based missile of high supersonic speed, combined with high maneuverability. Unfortunately, its 300 kg warhead is no match for Granit’s. The net result of such a confrontation with Oniks class missiles would depend greatly on the exact circumstances and countermeasures undertaken by the carrier strike group.
His speech seemed to indicate that the big carrier killer had transitioned to the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile. The Zircon goes up to Mach 8 speed, with a targeted range estimated to range from 500 to 1000 km, and there is almost no way to intercept it. Flying at hypersonic speed, any 300-400 kg, his warhead could accomplish crushing attacks on an aircraft carrier.
The Project 22350 frigate Admiral Golovko, which is upcoming, will be the first Russian Navy warship installed with Zircon missiles. Six orders for such warships under Project 22350 have already been placed, possibly more, at the Severnaya Verf shipyard. This warship, together with their predecessors, notably Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Kasatonov, can boast of being the Russian Navy’s future naval force.
While on the other hand, new missile technologies open a host of problems for the Royal Navy as well. It means the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates must be equipped to counter hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles, and other advanced weaponry. The Falkland Islands War pointed out how devastating the presence of anti-ship missiles could be; today, there is a lot more at stake.
Further challenges would be posed by a hypersonic capability demonstrated by the Chinese with their BrahMos-II in conjunction with the Russians DF21-D ‘carrier killer’. With speeds of up to Mach 10, a target has little time to deal with this. Current defense comes from Royal Navy missile systems Sea Viper and Sea Ceptor backed up by the Phalanx CIWS but the threat of saturation attacks remains.
Naval warfare is being developed farther and farther into the future, with hypersonic and ballistic missiles becoming served weapons. The only solution may be directed-energy weapons, but their effectiveness is dependent on big power generation and technological advances.
Indeed, with the shifting patterns of the global naval landscape, there can be no understatement to sit tight on the missile-defense technology that will keep them ahead. The stakes are very high, and the race to develop and counter these weapons will shape the future of naval warfare.