The Ship Model Forum

Russia’s Kalibr missile puts US on the back-heel
Russia is arming its naval forces in the Pacific region with a new advanced cruise missile that can sink ships
By DAVE MAKICHUK
MARCH 12, 2021
Russian Kalibr cruise missiles fly at sub-sonic speeds while achieving supersonic speed as they near their target. They are also capable of performing very high angled defensive high speed maneuvers in contrast to the common linear flight path of other anti-ship cruise missiles. Credit: TASS/Russian Defense Forces.
It’s a game changer. There’s no other way of saying it.

And it has been duly noted, by the Pentagon.

According to a report in InsideDefense.com, Russia is now arming naval forces in the Pacific region with a new advanced cruise missile that will give its submarines and ships the ability to sink other ships and for the first time execute long-range strikes against land targets.

Admiral Phil Davidson, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, told Congress in written testimony this week that Russia will begin fielding the Kalibr cruise missile across its Pacific fleet this year — a weapon that other Pentagon officials have warned could be used to offset US military power-projection advantages and limit US diplomatic options in a crisis.

“We expect the Russian Pacific Fleet will add its first Kalibr cruise missile-capable ships and submarines to its inventory in 2021, giving it substantially increased anti-ship capabilities and the ability to conduct long-range strikes against land targets for the first time,” Davidson said.


(...SNIPPED)