Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea Join the Hypersonic Weapons Race: A Look at Their Missiles and Capabilities

Russia’s Hypersonic Missiles

Chinese Hypersonic Missiles

American X-51 Waverider Missile

Iranian Fatah Rocket

North Korean Hwaseong-8 Missile

Russia and China Leading the Way

Russia and China are among the countries that have successfully developed hypersonic missiles, which travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5. These missiles are difficult to intercept and can be used to deliver devastating attacks. The United States is also testing such weapons, but Russia and China are considered to be leading the way.

Russian Hypersonic Missiles

Russia has developed a range of hypersonic missiles, including the Kinzhal, Zirkon, and Avangard. The Kinzhal missile is combat-ready, has a range of 2,000 km and a speed of Mach 12. The Zirkon missile is a cruise medium-range missile, designed to destroy navy ships, including aircraft carriers, and flies at a speed of 9,000 km/h. The Avangard missile is a strategic weapon that can hit any target on Earth, flying at a speed of 30,000 km/h. The Russian “Dagger” missile was used in combat operations, demonstrating its ability to overcome air defense and missile systems.

Chinese Hypersonic Missiles

China possesses the DF-27, which traveled 2,100 km in 12 minutes and can carry nuclear and conventional warheads. It also has the DF-41 ICBM, with a maximum range of 9,300 km, and can launch a floating DF-ZF hypersonic warhead at a speed of 11,265 km/h. China’s DF-21D missile, called the “carrier killer,” has a speed of Mach 10 and is designed to protect China’s east coast from American ships.

American X-51 Waverider Missile

The X-51 Waverider missile was developed by Boeing and planned to enlist in the US Army by 2025 but has faced recent failed trials, pushing back its delivery date. It is expected to be delivered by F-35, B-2, or B-52 aircraft, launching at a range of 1,100 km.

Iranian Fatah Rocket

The Iranian Fatah hypersonic missile can fly at 15 times the speed of sound, according to Iranian news agency IRNA. Its maximum range is 1,400 km, and its speed can reach Mach 13 and 15, capable of hitting all enemy air defense systems. Experts, however, question Iran’s ability to develop such technology at a large scale.

North Korean Hwaseong-8 Missile

North Korea successfully tested its Hwaseong-8 hypersonic missile, which is equipped with a hypersonic warhead. It is similar in appearance to the DF-17 missile in service with the Chinese army but runs on liquid fuel instead of solid fuel.

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