File image.
Russia will supply the first production batch of the advanced Kh-59MKM air-launched bunker buster cruise missile to its first foreign customer before the end of the year, a Russian military-diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on September 9.
“The first serial batch of the newest air-to-ground missiles Kh-59MKM will be delivered to a foreign customer by the end of this year. Final tests are underway. The missiles have unique characteristics in terms of their ability to penetrate the protection of various military structures,” the source said.
The Kh-59MKM which was designed to destroy fortified, stationary ground targets was unveiled earlier this year during the MAKS-2021 Air Show.
The missile is armed with a 40 kilograms pre-charge consisting of four small shaped charges and a 320 kg penetrating warhead. It has a range of 285 kilometers with a flight altitude less than 2 km.
Kh-59MKM with penetrating warhead and four shaped pre-charges in front.#MAKS2021 #KTRV pic.twitter.com/ewQtPqu1nW
— Michael Jerdev (@MuxelAero) July 19, 2021
The advanced missile is equipped with a combined navigation and guidance system that provides for a circular error probable of 10 meters.
The identity of the foreign customer was not revealed. However, it may be Egypt. Recently, the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) began receiving Russian-made Su-35 warplanes which can fire the KH-59MKM. The EAF has been working to improve its stand-off strike capabilities for quite some time
Egypt? To use it against which country? Against Israel?! No way,
Probably to China.
the target for Egypt would be the Ethiopia Nile dam
I agree.
Good comment, there is conflict ahead over the dam:
https://www.voanews.com/africa/ethiopia-blasts-trump-remark-egypt-will-blow-dam
If the weapon is compatible with the Su-30 then that opens a lot of possibilities too… India for example.