The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is an air-launched aeroballistic hypersonic missile carried by the MiG-31K Foxhound interceptor (and reportedly Tu-22M3). Derived from the ground-launched 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missile, it achieves Mach 10+ in terminal phase after being released from altitude by the carrier aircraft, extending effective range to 2,000 km. It performs evasive manoeuvres during descent to complicate ATBM intercept. Russia has used Kinzhal in Ukraine since March 2022 for high-value infrastructure attacks. Ukrainian Patriot PAC-3 MSE batteries have achieved confirmed intercepts, partially puncturing Russian propaganda about invulnerability.
![Mikoyan (MiG) logo](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="60" viewBox="0 0 200 60"><rect width="200" height="60" fill="%23111"/><text x="100" y="38" font-family="Arial" font-weight="bold" font-size="16" fill="%23c8a84b" text-anchor="middle">MIKOYAN MiG</text></svg>)
- Mach 10 terminal speed (claimed)
- Maneuvering warhead complicates interception
- 2,000km range from launch aircraft
- No known operational intercept record
- Can carry conventional or nuclear warhead
- Requires specialized MiG-31K launch platform
- Accuracy questions at hypersonic speeds
- Western analysts dispute Mach 10 claim in atmosphere
- Limited operational testing under real combat conditions
- Proved interceptable by Patriot (2023 claims)
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