The R-360 Neptun (Ukrainian: Р-360 «Нептун») is a Ukrainian-built subsonic anti-ship cruise missile designed to counter modern maritime threats. Developed by the Luch Design Bureau, the Neptun system represents a significant leap in Ukraine’s domestic defense capabilities, drawing its roots from the Soviet Kh-35 missile but featuring major upgrades in range, electronics, and overall performance.
Introduced into service in 2021, the Neptun missile is designed to strike surface warships and transport vessels with displacements of up to 5,000 tons—either individually or in convoy formations. However, in practice, the system has proven capable of targeting ships as large as 12,000 tons, expanding its threat envelope considerably.
Technical Specifications
- Type: Subsonic anti-ship cruise missile
- Origin: Ukraine
- Weight: 870 kg
- Warhead: 150 kg high-explosive fragmentation
- Range: Up to 300 km
- Speed: Subsonic
- Designer: Luch Design Bureau
Operational Use
The Neptun has been actively used by Ukraine during the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War. Its most notable success came in 2022, when Ukrainian forces reportedly used the Neptun missile to strike and sink the Moskva, the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet—a historic moment that showcased the missile’s real-world lethality and strategic value.
By combining relatively low cost with precision strike capability and extended reach, the R-360 Neptun has emerged as a formidable tool in Ukraine’s coastal defense doctrine and a symbol of its growing defense industry.
