Why Russia sent carriers of the Zircon nuclear missile near Cuba

On June 12, the Russian Navy frigate “Admiral Gorshkov” and nuclear submarine “Kazan” are expected to arrive in Cuba, accompanied by an oil tanker and a tugboat. This decision appears to be a show of force, aimed at “to shake” the United States with Zircon missiles stationed in Cuba, using two of the latest Russian ships.

The United States reacted to this Russian maneuver. Washington's position can be summarized as vigilant, but not overly concerned. The situation is quite tense, given that Russia has chosen to position its newest ships close to the US fleet. But it is also worth considering how this decision could influence Russia's allies.

By deploying its Zircon missile carriers to Cuba, which has not publicly supported Russia's actions in Ukraine, the Kremlin appears to be testing the waters. Despite Cuba's neutrality, Ukrainian analysts note that Cuba does not obstruct the recruitment of mercenaries for Russian forces. It is therefore likely that Russia is seeking to use this naval visit as a strategic move to exert influence, at least over Cuba itself.

Now let's see what weapons Cuba currently has and how they could attract the attention of the United States. “Russian emissaries. » The Cuban arsenal includes several hundred T-62s and PT-76s, although these models are more than 60 years old. The total number of combat vehicles barely exceeds 400 units.

Concerning artillery, the situation in Cuba is not much better. According to The Military Balance 2023, Cuba has approximately 1.7 thousand artillery systems. However, the majority of them date from the second half of the 1940s to the 1960s.

The core of Cuban air defense is various S-75 and S-125 systems, some of which have been upgraded using T-55 chassis. Regarding combat aviation, Cuba has five MiG-29 and MiG-21 aircraft, although their current technical condition is unknown. The country also has 12 Mi-35 helicopters and 20 Mi-8 helicopters, but again their operational status is uncertain.

The Cuban Navy is uniquely positioned as an exotic force. According to The Military Balance, the Cuban Navy operates two Rio Damuji Project frigates, originally converted from Spanish trawlers from the 1970s. These frigates are primarily armed with two P-22 missile launchers, which are the export version of the P-15 . “Termit.” Additionally, the Cuban fleet includes six Project 205 Osa boats from which the P-15 missile launchers have been removed – the launchers themselves converted into coastal complexes known as Bandera IV – and four Rubezh coastal missile complexes using also the P-15 Termit.

At first glance, it might seem that Russia views Cuba simply as a potential source of mercenaries for its conflict against Ukraine, especially since the naval technologies mentioned appear to belong to the Fidel Castro era. However, it is important to remember that during the era of the USSR, Cuba frequently acted as a proxy in Moscow's conflicts on the African continent.

Given this historical context, it is plausible that Moscow still plans to revive its Soviet-era African engagements, potentially deploying Cuban forces equipped with rare T-62 and PT-76 tanks for these operations.

Otherwise, Zircon is probably the best “hypersonic” parcel from the Russian Federation. The 3M22 Zircon, also known as the Tsirkon, is a hypersonic cruise missile developed by Russia. It is designed to be launched from surface ships and submarines, making it a versatile weapon in naval warfare. This missile is part of Russia's efforts to modernize its military capabilities and maintain its strategic advantage.

The dimensions of the 3M22 Zircon are not officially disclosed, but its length is estimated at around 8 to 10 meters. The diameter of the missile would be approximately 0.6 to 0.7 meters. These dimensions allow it to be compatible with existing launch systems on Russian naval ships.

The Zircon's propulsion system is a scramjet engine, which allows it to reach hypersonic speeds. A scramjet, or supersonic combustion ramjet engine, is a breathing engine that operates efficiently at speeds above Mach 5. This method of propulsion allows the Zircon to reach speeds of up to Mach 9, significantly reducing the reaction time of enemy defenses.

Technical characteristics of the 3M22 Zircon include its ability to maneuver at high speeds, making it difficult to intercept. The missile is designed to fly at altitudes ranging from 30 to 40 kilometers, where it can take advantage of lower air resistance to maintain its hypersonic speed. Its guidance system is believed to incorporate both inertial navigation and active radar guidance, ensuring high accuracy.

The Zircon can be equipped with different types of warheads, including conventional high-explosive and potentially nuclear warheads. This flexibility allows it to be used in a wide range of tactical and strategic scenarios. The missile's destructive power, combined with its speed and maneuverability, makes it a formidable threat to land and sea targets.

The operational range of the 3M22 Zircon is estimated between 500 and 1,000 kilometers. This range allows it to strike targets at significant distances, providing a strategic advantage in offensive and defensive operations. The exact range may vary depending on the launch platform and specific mission parameters.

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