The two missiles exemplify Russian advanced engineering—highlighting a precision and technological proficiency in naval weaponry that many in the West had written off.
Russia continues to show the world that it is not merely a “gas station with nukes,” as the late United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ) notoriously described it. Since the start of the Ukraine War, Moscow has enhanced its self-sufficiency by selling its vast stores of energy to the likes of India and China, evading US-led sanctions, while pushing its defense industrial base to such a productive level that it produces every three months that which it takes all of NATO a year to build.
With Russian forces making significant gains in Ukraine, there is little chance the Ukrainians will be able to achieve their stated strategic goals of restoring Kyiv’s control over Eastern Ukraine or the Crimean Peninsula. Meanwhile, Russia continues to exert new power over Central Asia, as it competes with the West for dominance there. Not wanting to leave out its Far East, Russia has recently conducted sweeping military exercises in the Sea of Japan involving the testing of Russia’s potent Kalibr-NK and the Uran (Kh-35) cruise missiles.
The Kalibr-NK Missile, Explained
The Kalibr-NK is a ship-launched variant of the broader Kalibr family excelling in long-range land-attack missions. Conversely, the Uran missile, also known as the Kh-35, is a compact anti-ship missile designed for tactical strikes. Both weapons underscore Russia’s focus on asymmetric warfare, enabling strikes from sea platforms against both maritime and terrestrial targets.
Developed by Russia’s NPO Novator (OKB-8), the Kalibr missile family traces its origins to the post-Soviet era, entering service in 1994. The Kalibr-NK specifically refers to the surface ship-launched version, optimized for land-attack roles under the domestic designation 3M14T, with export variants marketed as Club-N. Its development incorporated lessons from earlier systems, evolving into a modular design capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads up to 1,102 pounds.
Specifications of the Kalibr-NK emphasize its extended reach and evasion tactics. It boasts a range of 932-1,553 miles for domestic versions. Powered by a multi-stage solid-fuel rocket and turbojet engine, the Kalibr-NK cruises at subsonic speeds but can accelerate to Mach 3 in the terminal phase for anti-ship variants, though the NK focuses on subsonic land strikes. Guidance relies on inertial systems, with GLONASS integration while flying at extremely low altitudes to avoid radar detection.
Launch platforms for the Kalibr-NK include vertical launching systems on Russian warships like the Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates, Buyan-M corvettes, and Gepard-class vessels. Its containerized Club-K variant adds deception, allowing deployment from trucks or shipping containers. Operationally, the Kalibr-NK has proven its mettle in real-world conflicts. During the Syrian Civil War, Russian ships in the Caspian Sea fired 26 Kalibr-NK missiles in 2015, striking ISIS targets over 900 miles away. Moreover, during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, these weapons were used to target Ukrainian military command centers and infrastructure, with notable strikes on the Ukrainian ports of Odesa and Vinnytsia—demonstrating its role in precision bombardment.
Understanding the Uran (Kh-35) Missile
The Uran missile, designated Kh-35, emerged from Soviet-era development starting in the 1970s at the Zvezda-Strela center. Official production kicked off in 1983 to equip medium-tonnage ships, with the first export variant (Kh-35E) delivered to India in 1996. Russia integrated it into its navy in 2003, positioning it as a cost-effective successor to the older P-15 Termit—with a unit cost of around $500,000 in 2010.
Key specifications highlight the Uran’s tactical focus. The air-launched version of the missile weighs 1,146 pounds, while ship and helicopter variants are somewhat heavier at 1,344 pounds. This system carries a 319-pound high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Powered by a R95TP-300 turbofan engine, it reaches speeds of around Mach 0.8 and possesses an initial range of around 80 miles. The upgraded version—the Kh-35U variant, first introduced in 2015—can reach up to 186 miles. Guidance combines inertial navigation with active radar homing (up to 31-mile seeker range in upgrades), enabling sea-skimming at 13 to 49 feet above sea level for low detectability.
Variants include the Kh-35 for naval use, upgraded Kh-35U for land strikes, and coastal systems like Bal-E (SSC-6 Sennight), which can salvo up to 32 missiles. Launch platforms span aircraft (Su-35, Su-57), helicopters (Ka-52), ships, and ground batteries. In operations, the Kh-35 has seen limited but effective use; the Bal system was tested successfully in 2004 and entered service in 2008.
During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian forces have intercepted Kh-35 missiles at sea, underscoring its deployment in coastal defense and anti-ship roles.
How the Kalibre-NK and Uran Missiles Complement Each Other
While both the Kalibr-NK and Uran enhance Russia’s naval strike capabilities, they differ markedly. The Kalibr-NK’s extended range and land-attack focus make it ideal for strategic operations—contrasting with the Uran’s shorter-range, anti-ship emphasis for tactical engagements. Together, they provide layered defense and offense, with Kalibr offering standoff power and Uran affordability and versatility.
The two missiles exemplify Russian advanced engineering—highlighting its precision and technological proficiency in naval weaponry that many in the West had prematurely written off. Moscow’s forces performed adequately in the Syrian Civil War, and again in Ukraine, where the Russians are on the march.
The two missiles’ evolution reflects ongoing innovations in precision-guided munitions, posing challenges to global security and underscoring the need for robust countermeasures. As geopolitical tensions persist, these systems will likely remain central to Russia’s military strategy. And, if the Russians are indeed serious about pivoting to their east, these systems will be key for Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Anelo.
