Russian Nuclear Submarine Modified to Carry Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile

The Russian Navy’s Project 885M Yasen-M nuclear-powered submarine Perm will be the first regular carrier of the 3M22 Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic missile, according to TASS, citing materials from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Murmansk.

The submarine’s design has been modified to accommodate the new missile system.

The Sevmash shipyard is constructing the Perm, which will become the sixth nuclear-powered submarine in the Yasen-class series. Unlike previous 885M variants, Perm features design adjustments to support the integration of Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles. These missiles, previously tested from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, will enhance the Russian Navy’s long-range strike capabilities.

The Tsirkon missile, capable of speeds exceeding Mach 9, has a range of over 1,000 km, enabling it to strike both land and naval targets. Its deployment on submarines is expected to strengthen Russia’s Northern Fleet, particularly in the Arctic and other key regions.

The Perm’s vertical launch system will feature an 8-module 3S14V universal firing system (UKSK), allowing up to 32 transport and launch containers for Tsirkon missiles, with four per module. This configuration increases the Russian Navy’s submarine-based firepower, complementing its surface fleet’s missile capabilities.