By Rohit Srivastava

Russian weapons systems are being upgraded constantly to keep them ahead of the defensive measures of the Ukrainian defensive measures. In a recently published media report, a top Russian weapons expert said that the improvements in missile system that were effective at the early stage of conflict are no more effective now.

 

“The enemy is also not standing still and is improving its countermeasures. As a result, improvements to our missiles, which showed their effectiveness in 2022, are currently no longer sufficient. Therefore, constant work is underway, the goal of which is to provide the special military operation soldiers with effective weapons with the necessary accuracy of use,” said Sergei Bogatikov, General Director of the State Design Bureau \"Raduga\" to National Defence magazine.

 

Effectiveness of X-69 Use

 

While discussing the effectiveness of Russian cruise missiles in the Ukraine conflict, Bogatikov spoke on the much discussed reporting of the use of Russian latest X-69 stealth cruise missile to destroy Trypillya thermal power plant near Kiev in April this year. Ukrainian media has called X-69 more deadly than Kh-47M2 ‘Kinzhal’. BBC also reported the incidence without mentioning the missile.

 

Speaking on the effectiveness and what capabilities X-69 brings to the fighters carrying, Bogatikov said that it allows them to strike deep within the enemy territory, much behind the enemy line, from beyond the strike range of enemy’s long-range air defence systems.

Unveiled for the world market during the Russia’s Army 2022, the Kh-69(X-69) multifunctional stealth air-to-ground high-precision new generation cruise missile has a range of 290 km. The X-69 is designed to destroy a wide range of fixed targets, including those without radar, infrared and optical contrast to the surrounding background, with known location coordinates, and with previously known information signs of the target area. The X-69 missile is indistinguishable from Kh-59MK2, an advanced version of Kh-59 – a cigar-shaped air-to-ground missile family. The X-69 is compatible with other Russian legacy and upcoming fighters and bombers like Su-75, Su-30MK, Su-34, Su-35, MiG-35, MiG-29K. India operates some of these fighters which are expected to be operational for two decades. This missile can be a great addition to Indian inventory.  

 

A detailed report on X-69 by IDI can be read here.

 

Kh-59 Family in Combat

 

Claiming Ukrainian electronic warfare to have zero effectiveness against Russian attack missiles, Russian expert said that Russian missiles are hitting the ground targets which indicate that they based on effective and correct design and are still relevant.

 

Russia is using the Kh-58/59 family missiles against Ukrainian targets both on sea and land. Although Kh-59 family is not intended to be used against land targets but they are being effectively used. According to Bogatikov, the Kh-59 missiles have been improved to destroy targets such as individual building in urban environment withstanding the enemy countermeasures. These missiles were not originally designed for such roles.

 

Speaking on the constant improvement on weapons, he said that the Russian defence industrial ecosystem along with the ministry of defence is using the combat data to improve on-board systems and software. This has been going on throughout the conflict.

 

Russia is also working to improve the anti-radiation missile family of Kh-58. “I will note that new modifications of the Kh-58 missiles have proven themselves to be more effective. We are constantly improving both the guidance system and other product systems to ensure the necessary results in the conditions of modern armed conflict,” Sergei Bogatikov informed.

 

What is Raduga?

 

Joint Stock Company \"State Machine-Building Design Bureau \"Raduga\" named after A.Ya. Bereznyak is one of the world leaders in the field of creating high-precision missile weapons. The main task of the enterprise is the development, production and modernization of domestic models of air-to-ground, \"ship-to-ship\" and \"ground-to-ground\" guided missiles. Over more than 70 years of activity, the MKB team has developed and adopted more than 50 missile weapons systems. The latest products of the State Design Bureau \"Raduga\" are air-to-surface guided missiles for long-range and front-line aircraft, as well as for warships.

 

 

X-69 Specifications

Characteristic	Value
Rocket Launch Altitude Range (km)	0.2…11
Missile Range (km)	Up to 290
Rocket Flight Speed (km/h)	750…1000
Circular Error Probable (CEP, m)	5…7
Warhead Type	Penetrating or Cumulative
Warhead Weight (kg)	310 (Penetrating) or 300 (Cumulative)
Launch Mass of the Rocket (kg)	Up to 770
Body Length (m)	4.19
Wingspan (m)	2.45
Width/Height with Folded Wing (m)	0.4 / 0