Ukraine scales up R-360 Neptune anti-ship missile production following operational success against Russia.

On November 18, 2024, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced significant progress in the country’s missile production program. He stated that the first 100 missiles of 2024 had been produced, and serial production of the R-360 Neptune cruise missile had been scaled up. Recent upgrades to the Neptune system have extended its range, enabling strikes on longer-distance targets. Discussions during his meeting with Ukrainian missile manufacturers included plans for 2025 and key industry development directions, aligning with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s earlier directive to produce 3,000 cruise missiles next year.
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The Neptune system was created with mobility and rapid deployment in mind, allowing it to be positioned up to 25 kilometers inland and operational at a new location within approximately 15 minutes. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)

The R-360 Neptune missile, developed by Ukraine's Luch Design Bureau, has been in service since 2021. It is based on the Soviet Kh-35 missile design and is capable of targeting a variety of naval vessels, including cruisers, destroyers, and landing ships, with a displacement of up to 5,000 tons. The Neptune system includes RKP-360 mobile command posts, USPU-360 launchers, and TZM-360 transport and reloading vehicles, which were initially mounted on KrAZ chassis but are now deployed on Czech Tatra T815-7 trucks. The missile itself measures 5.05 meters in length, weighs 870 kilograms, and is equipped with a 150-kilogram warhead. It has a range of up to 300 kilometers, and recent upgrades have increased its range to 400 kilometers, with further developments aimed at reaching 1,000 kilometers.

The Neptune system operates with mobility and rapid deployment in mind, allowing it to be positioned up to 25 kilometers inland and operational at a new location within approximately 15 minutes. The missile’s design includes active radar homing and a low-altitude terminal flight path to reduce radar detection. It can also follow a programmable route to navigate around defensive measures.

The Neptune system was notably used on April 13, 2022, to strike and sink the Russian cruiser Moskva, the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This marked the first wartime loss of a Russian flagship since the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. The event demonstrated the system’s capabilities and prompted changes in Russian naval operations, with the Black Sea Fleet adopting a more defensive posture to avoid further missile attacks.

Ukraine has also developed a modified version of the Neptune for land-attack purposes. This variant features pre-loaded target data and enhanced capabilities, including a heavier 350-kilogram warhead. In August 2023, the modified Neptune was reportedly used to destroy a Russian S-400 air defense system in Crimea. Another confirmed deployment occurred in July 2024, when the missile was used to strike an ammunition depot at Chalino military airfield in Russia. These operations have expanded the system’s use beyond maritime targets.

International interest in the Neptune system has grown. Romania has indicated plans to collaborate with Ukraine on missile production, aiming to enhance joint defense capabilities in the Black Sea. Estonia has also expressed interest in acquiring the system to strengthen its coastal defense strategy. These collaborations could potentially increase production capacity and provide additional resources for Ukraine’s defense efforts.

The Neptune missile program includes other developments such as adapting the system for use on aircraft, with the Su-24M identified as a potential platform. Discussions are also ongoing regarding the production of new naval platforms to deploy the missile. Additionally, components of the Neptune system have contributed to other projects, such as the Sokil-300 unmanned aerial vehicle.