The Russian Navy achieved a major milestone with the launch of the 'Perm', the first submarine of the Yasen-M class designed to launch 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles.

This development not only strengthens Russia's naval capabilities but also heralds a new era in submarine warfare with the incorporation of missiles that challenge current defense systems.

The 'Perm' was launched from the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, an event attended by President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the strategic importance of this new class of submarines.

This vessel is the sixth of the Yasen/Yasen-M class but the first to integrate technology for launching the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile, a leap that positions Russia at the forefront of modern naval warfare.

The combination of the 'Perm' and the Zircon missiles signifies a radical shift in Russia's strike capabilities.

The 3M22 Zircon, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 9 (approximately 11,025 km/h), is one of the most advanced weapons in the world, able to evade nearly all existing defense systems.

Designed for attacking both naval and land targets, the Zircon has an operational range varying between 400 and 1,000 kilometers, making it a long-range weapon that is difficult to intercept.

The 'Perm' is powered by a KTP-6-185SP nuclear reactor, allowing it to remain submerged for up to 100 days, providing a strategic advantage for extended operations.

Furthermore, its ability to reach speeds of 31 knots underwater makes it exceptionally fast and challenging to detect by conventional surveillance systems.

The submarine is also equipped with 10 torpedo tubes of 533 mm caliber, allowing it to deploy a variety of underwater weapons, including advanced torpedoes and mines.

The Zircon missiles are launched from its eight vertical launch systems, which can accommodate four 3M22 Zircon missiles alongside other cruise missiles like the P-800 Onyx and the 3M14 Kalibr, establishing the 'Perm' as a formidable adversary for any fleet it encounters.

The Yasen-M class to which the 'Perm' belongs has been optimized for stealth and maneuverability.

With a maximum immersion depth of 600 meters and a submerged displacement of 13,800 tons, the submarine boasts exceptional operational capacity.

Its low acoustic signature and prolonged operational endurance render the 'Perm' nearly invisible to enemy detection systems.

Measuring 130 meters in length, with a beam of 13 meters and a draft of 9.4 meters, it features optimized aerodynamics, allowing it to remain submerged for extended periods without compromising performance, making it an ideal platform for operations in deep waters undetected.

The 'Perm' not only enhances Russia's defensive capabilities but also poses new challenges for Western powers.

With hypersonic missiles capable of bypassing most modern defense systems, submarine warfare is poised for a paradigm shift.

The Zircon has already been described as one of the hardest missiles to intercept, and its integration into the 'Perm' further underscores the urgent need for new defense strategies to counter this emerging threat.

The deployment of the 'Perm' and its Zircon missiles could redefine power relations in the ocean, signaling the potential onset of a new arms race.

The international community will need to address this challenge in the near future, as other nations seek to match or exceed the capabilities that Russia has demonstrated with its latest submarine.