MOSCOW, Russian Federation -- Russia has conducted 12 tests of the Kinzhal missile. The most recent test was conducted this month and the missile successfully hit a target 800 kilometers away, according to the reports. So far, the missile has only been tested from the MiG-31, but eventually Russia is planning on arming other aircraft with the Kinzhal.
Sputnik International, though owned by the Russian state, noted, "At present there has been no mention in the Russian media about the successful test of a Kinzhal missile referred to by CNBC." No Russian official has commented on the reports of 12 test flights, but in mid-March 2018, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed in a statement that a MiG-31 had tested the Kinzhal.
Testing, which began in December 2017, is believed to be ongoing in Russia's Southern Military District. It is not clear when testing may begin onboard other aircraft. Russia may well equip its Tu-22M3 strategic bombers with the missile.
In a speech in March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed the Kinzhal project, stating, "As an important stage of armament development, a precision hypersonic aviation and missile complex has been created." The Kinzhal missile is claimed to carry a range of up to 2,000 kilometers. The air-launched ballistic missile -- evidently derived from the Iskander land-based missile -- can travel at hypersonic speeds and carry nuclear warheads.
Once in service, Kinzhal will bolster Russia's nuclear deterrent and improve the reliability of its delivery systems against current and future American missile defense systems. Russia is aiming to put a number of new missile systems into service over the coming years in order to ensure that its military is able to penetrate through air-defense networks.
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