The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal: Why This Russian Missile Is Not Truly Hypersonic

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Marketed as a revolutionary hypersonic weapon, the Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is actually an air-launched adaptation of the older 9K720 Iskander ballistic missile. While it achieves high speeds, experts argue it lacks the maneuverability of true hypersonic systems, making it vulnerable to modern interceptors like the MIM-104 Patriot.

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, known to NATO as the AS-24 Killjoy, entered service in December 2017. It was officially unveiled by President Vladimir Putin in March 2018 as part of a new suite of strategic weaponry. Designed to be launched from aircraft such as the MiG-31K, Tu-22M3, and Su-34, the missile relies on a standard ballistic trajectory rather than the advanced scramjet technology or hypersonic glide capabilities associated with true hypersonic weapons. Because it follows a predictable path, analysts often categorize it as an aeroballistic or quasi-ballistic missile rather than a genuine hypersonic system.

Despite claims of Mach 10 top speeds, the missile's performance in the Russo-Ukrainian war has been subject to intense scrutiny. In May 2023, Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted a Kinzhal using the American-made MIM-104 Patriot system, an event that Pentagon officials later confirmed. Operators reported that the missile was traveling at approximately Mach 3.6 during the engagement—significantly slower than the speeds touted by Russian media. This discrepancy, combined with the missile's limited maneuverability, has led international observers to conclude that the Kinzhal is easier to intercept than previously feared.

The strategic importance of the Kinzhal has evolved throughout the conflict. While early reports emphasized its use against static targets like weapons depots, Russia has continued to refine the system, reportedly adding terminal phase maneuvering capabilities in 2025 to better evade air defenses. Production has also scaled significantly, with orders reaching 144 units in 2025. Despite these upgrades, the weapon remains a point of contention, with Russian officials denying interception claims and Western analysts highlighting the ongoing technological cat-and-mouse game between the missile and modern defensive batteries.

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