Cruise Missile
Kh-35 Uran
Kh-35 Uran is a subsonic sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missile made by Zvezda-Strela in Russia, in Russian Navy service since 2003. NATO calls it the AS-20 Kayak, and it is often described as Russia’s equivalent of the Harpoon.
Russia|Tactical Missiles Corporation (Zvezda-Strela)What Is the Kh-35 Uran? Overview, History and Development
Development of the Kh-35 began in the early 1980s, with first launches in 1983, but delays in the 1990s pushed Russian Navy service to 2003. The missile is 420 mm in diameter, about 3.75 m long (4.4 m with booster for ship and coastal use) and weighs roughly 480 kg, with a 145 kg warhead. It cruises at Mach 0.8–0.9 and drops to 3–5 m above the sea in the terminal phase, guided by an ARGS-35 active radar seeker.
The export Kh-35E has a range of about 130 km, while the Kh-35U upgrade reaches about 260 km. It is launched from ships, Bal-E coastal systems and aircraft such as the Su-30, Su-34 and Ka-27. Operators include Russia, India, Vietnam, Myanmar and Venezuela. Russian forces have used it in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s Neptune is a domestic derivative. Unit price is roughly US$0.5–1 million, unofficially. Rivals are Harpoon, Exocet, NSM and C-802.
Kh-35 Uran Specifications: Range, Speed, Warhead and Guidance
Kh-35 Uran Variants and Versions Compared
Kh-35 is the baseline Russian Navy version with a range of about 130 km.
Kh-35E is the export model offered from the 1990s and operated by several foreign navies.
Kh-35U is the upgraded Uran-U version with a range of about 260 km.
Which Countries Use the Kh-35 Uran? Operators and Users
Russia
India
Vietnam
Myanmar (Burma)
VenezuelaKh-35 Uran FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
What is the range of the Kh-35 missile?
The Kh-35E has a range of about 130 km, and the upgraded Kh-35U reaches about 260 km. Some sources quote up to 300 km for later variants, but those figures are unconfirmed.
How fast is the Kh-35 Uran?
The Kh-35 Uran cruises at Mach 0.8–0.9, which is subsonic. It flies 3–5 m above the sea in its terminal phase, relying on low altitude and small size rather than speed to evade ship defences.
How much does a Kh-35 missile cost?
A Kh-35 missile costs roughly US$0.5–1 million per unit according to unofficial estimates. Russia does not publish prices, so figures vary between sources.
Which countries use the Kh-35?
The Kh-35 is used by Russia, India, Vietnam, Myanmar and Venezuela. India fires it from Talwar, Shivalik and Kolkata-class ships, and Vietnam from Gepard 3.9 frigates and Bal-E coastal launchers.
Kh-35 vs Harpoon: which is better?
The Kh-35 and the US Harpoon are close in class, both subsonic sea-skimmers with warheads around 145–220 kg. The Kh-35U’s roughly 260 km range exceeds the baseline Harpoon, while the Harpoon has a longer operational record.
Is the Neptune missile based on the Kh-35?
Ukraine’s Neptune is a domestic derivative of the Kh-35, designed by the Luch Design Bureau and first used in 2022 according to Ukrainian statements. It has a longer range than the Kh-35 it grew from.