Israel is feeling uneasy about the possibility of Russia providing Iran with Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile technology.
Hypersonic missiles are a recent addition to the arsenal of advanced weapons, offering distinct advantages over traditional ballistic missiles. With their ability to travel at significantly higher speeds and execute more versatile flight paths, hypersonic missiles pose a formidable challenge for anti-aircraft radars to detect.
Moreover, by flying at low altitudes during a portion of their flight, these missiles can achieve greater effectiveness in combat situations.
Israel, among other nations, is understandably concerned about the potential use of hypersonic missiles by adversarial countries such as Iran. Russia, for instance, has already developed the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile since 2019, which has the capability to counter US defenses.
Israel has been concerned about the potential transfer of hypersonic missile technology from North Korea to Iran in the past. However, their attention has now shifted to Russia’s possible transfer of Kinzhal munitions and production knowledge to Tehran, especially after Iran’s recent purchase of the Su-35 multirole fighter and potential acquisition of the S-400 air defense missile system.
Israel is aware of the significant danger posed by hypersonic missiles, which are difficult to intercept, and is seeking to modify its missile defense technology to counter this threat. However, this effort is expected to be both time-consuming and costly.
The possibility of Iran acquiring hypersonic missiles remains a major concern for Israel, as it could seriously threaten its security. Some experts, however, believe that the likelihood of such an event is low due to the fact that Russia’s Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile can only be deployed on the MiG-31K long-range interceptor, which Moscow has not yet exported to Iran.
