The Russian frigate Admiral Golovko, carrying Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles, was recently seen in the English Channel. The aim of this military presence is to “show the Russian flag” and maintain a naval presence in strategic areas of the world ocean

A presence under surveillance

The English Channel is currently under close surveillance, as a Russian fleet frigate equipped with the latest hypersonic missiles conducts exercises in the area. According to a press release from the Northern Fleet, this ship will continue its maneuvers in the Atlantic Ocean. “The frigate Admiral Golovko has completed its Channel crossing and is currently continuing its missions in Atlantic waters,” says the Russian Navy.

At the same time, the ship is conducting anti-terrorist exercises, preparing to repel drone attacks, whether airborne or sea-based. This series of drills is designed to deter any attempts at aggression against the vessel, which entered service in 2023. The frigate’s mission, according to the press release, is to reinforce Russia’s naval presence in operationally crucial areas, while clearly displaying the Russian flag.

A strategic voyage

The voyage began on November 1, when the frigate left Severomorsk harbor, accompanied by several other vessels, including the supply ship Vyazma. This mission is part of a wider strategy of power projection at sea, notably through the use of hypersonic missiles.

Zircon missiles to reinforce Russian military strategy

Even before its commissioning, Russia’s then Defense Minister Sergei Choigou announced that the Admiral Golovko would be equipped with Zircon missiles, which were first tested in October 2020. These hypersonic weapons can reach a speed of Mach 9, enabling them to hit both sea and land targets. The missile covered a distance of 450 kilometers in just four and a half minutes during testing, demonstrating its formidable effectiveness. In 2021, test firings were also carried out from the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and a diving submarine in Russian Arctic waters.

A large-scale deterrence strategy

Russia’s hypersonic strategy, launched at the instigation of Vladimir Putin, aims to strengthen its defense arsenal. The Zircon missile and the Avangard hypersonic glider, which entered service in 2019, are now key elements of Russia’s deterrent force.

This is not the first time that a Russian frigate equipped with Zircon missiles has been deployed in Russia.