Neptune R-360 Anti-Ship Missile

Neptune R-360 Anti-Ship Missile

Type: missile

Domain: sea

Country of Origin: Ukraine

Manufacturer: NPO Mashinostroyeniya

Overview

Ukrainian indigenously-developed anti-ship cruise missile achieving legendary status after sinking the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship Moskva on April 14, 2022 — the most significant naval loss in combat since World War II. Neptune (R-360) is derived from Soviet Kh-35 anti-ship missile but features comprehensive Ukrainian modernization including turbojet engine providing range of 280-300 km (versus 130 km for Kh-35), GPS/INS mid-course navigation with active radar seeker for terminal homing, sea-skimming flight profile at 3-10 metres altitude, 150 kg high-explosive warhead, and resistance to electronic countermeasures. Launch platforms include mobile coastal defense batteries on 6x6 trucks (primary configuration), potentially adapted for ship or air launch. The Neptune programme began in 2013 following Russian annexation of Crimea and entered service 2020-2021. The sinking of Moskva demonstrated that modern anti-ship missiles provide small nations with capability to challenge vastly superior naval forces. Following Moskva, Russian Black Sea Fleet withdrew from forward positions, enabling Ukraine to export grain despite naval blockade. Neptune production accelerated during the war with potential for extended-range variants and ground-attack capability.

Operators

Related sea Weapon Systems