The TASS news agency reported on 8 January that new ship-based cruise missile, called the Kalibr-M, with a range of over 4,500 km is currently under development in Russia for the Russian Navy.
“The newest high-precision ship-based Kalibr-M cruise missile with a maximum firing range of more than 4,500 km is being developed for the Russian Navy. The creation of the rocket is at the stage of scientific research and financed by the Ministry of Defense,” the source told TASS.
The source also clarified that the development of the missile was included in the state armament program until 2027, and “the rocket must be transferred to the fleet before the end of the program.”
The new cruise missile will offer major improvements in capabilities compared with the existing Kalibr missiles.
“It will be much larger, the weight of its warhead will approach 1 tonne,” he noted.
According to the source, large surface ships will be equipped with it, starting with frigates, as well as nuclear submarines. “Kalibr-M is designed to destroy land facilities and will be able to carry both conventional and nuclear warhead,” he said.
At present, Kalibr missile system is in service with the Russian Navy. According to data from open sources, the maximum firing range of a 3M-14 cruise missile from this complex, flying at subsonic speed, reaches around 2,000 km.