Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday presided over the launch of a warship armed with new hypersonic cruise missiles on a training mission to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean, reports AFP.
He said, "I am sure that such powerful weapons will make it possible to reliably protect Russia from potential external threats and will help ensure the national interests of our country."
"We will continue to develop the fighting potential of our armed forces," Putin said, adding that the Zircon missile system on the ship "has no equivalent".
The president and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu took part via video conference in a ceremony for the launch of the mission of the Admiral Gorshkov frigate.
"In exercises, there will be training for the crew on deploying hypersonic weapons and long-range cruise missiles," he said.
The Zircon missiles were "able to overcome any modern or future air defence" and could deliver "pinpoint and powerful strikes against the enemy at sea and on land".
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
