Ukraine Creates New modification of Neptune Missile
4 December, 2023 R-360 missile of the Neptune system. December 5, 2018. Photo credits: NSDC
The Ukrainian defense industry is working on a long-range version of the Neptune system. Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ivan Havrilyuk, told ArmiaInform about this in his interview. The development provides for the creation of a new version of the domestic cruise missile.
"Now work is underway to create the so-called "long" Neptune. We are talking about a new modification of the missile. Also, active work is underway together with the Ministry of Strategic Industries to strengthen the air defense capabilities," the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine said.
The representative of the Ministry of Defense did not disclose details regarding the new long-range missile and its purpose. The initial RK-360MC Neptune system was originally developed to destroy enemy warships. A new version of the R-360 cruise missile presumably will be capable of striking ground targets.
RK-360MC on the Tatra chassis
R-360 cruise missile modernization
Back in April 2023, a representative of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Drive journalists that the designers were working on modifying the Neptune anti-ship missile to engage ground targets. The missile was to receive a new guidance system. The media reported that the new missile can be launched from the same launcher as before.
It has a maximum range of 400 km and a warhead weighing 350 kilograms (150 kg in the anti-ship version).
Neptune missile launch, photo by Oleksiy Bobovnikov
The official said Ukraine has developed a GPS guidance system that directs the missile to a predetermined target. In the final stage of flight, the infrared missile homing system searches and locks on the target based on a preloaded image.
Possible engagement of a new missile
On September 14, 2023, the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system near Yevpatoriya city in Crimea was hit by Ukrainian Neptune cruise missiles and strike drones. Representatives of the Security Services of Ukraine said this in a conversation with journalists of Ukrainska Pravda.
According to them, at first, the SSU drones hit the radars of the Russian system. After that, the Navy units with two Neptune cruise missiles attacked the launchers of the S-300/S-400 Triumf air defense systems.
On September 21, the SSU, together with the Ukrainian Navy, launched a combined missile attack on the Saki military airfield in the occupied Crimea.
For this strike, Ukrainians used drones that overloaded Russian air defense and then launched Neptune cruise missiles, sources in the SSU told Hromadske reporters.