Daily Editorial Analysis: Hypersonic Missiles Kinzhal

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

Hypersonic missiles are highly sophisticated weaponry. Which has the ability to travel at a rate of more than five times the speed of sound. The Russian Defense Ministry has deployed its hypersonic missile Kinjal aboard its MiG-31K fighter aircraft to demolish the enemy’s shelter.

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1. Hypersonic Missiles Kinzhal
2. Hypersonic Missiles Kinzhal Download PDF In English
3. Hypersonic Missiles Kinzhal Download PDF In Hindi
4. Most Important Study Notes

Hypersonic Missiles Kinzhal

For the first time in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia used hypersonic missiles to destroy Ukraine on the 25th day. Kinzhal is the name of this missile. Russia has destroyed Ukraine’s missile and air defence systems using the Kinjal hypersonic missile. This is the first time in history that such a sophisticated missile has been employed in a conflict. The hypersonic missile was launched in the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk.

What are hypersonic missiles and these countries have them?
Hypersonic missiles are advanced weaponry that travel at a five-times-the-speed-of-sound pace. These missiles travel at such a high rate to damage the enemy’s refuge that tracking and stopping them becomes challenging. As a result, it is considered one of the most lethal weapons.
Such hypersonic missiles are present in many countries around the world, not only Russia. America, Australia, Germany, and China are among them. Korea is now working on such a sophisticated and hazardous missile. Which has the ability to hit the ground from space.

How unique is the ‘Kinjal’ hypersonic missile?
The ‘Kinjal’ hypersonic missile that Russia used to assault is highly advanced. It’s also known as dagger, which translates to dagger. In 2018, Russia astonished everyone by introducing this unique missile for the first time. On the 73rd anniversary of the Great Patriotic War’s victory in 1941–45, Russia unveiled it at the Victory Day Military Parade. This missile has been deployed by the Russian Defense Ministry in a MiG-31K fighter aircraft. The air-to-surface missile ‘Kinjal’ is a hypersonic missile. This is adequate to destroy enemy sites over a 2000-kilometer range.

There is no scarcity of firearms in Russia
In addition to Kinjal, Russia is developing another powerful hypersonic missile. Avangard is the name of the creature. It is a nuclear-powered hypersonic missile that can travel at 20 times the speed of sound. It can also take out opposing missile defences.