| R-360 Neptune | |
|---|---|
 R-360 Neptune atArms and Security exhibition 2021 | |
| Type | Anti-ship missile Cruise missile |
| Place of origin | Ukraine |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2021–present |
| Used by | Ukrainian Navy |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Luch Design Bureau[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 870 kg (1,920 lb)[1] |
| Length | 5.05 m (16.6 ft) |
| Diameter | 38 cm (15 in) |
| Warhead weight |
|
| Engine | Motor Sich MS400 turbofan |
Operational range | Over 280 km (170 mi) up to 1,000 km (620 mi) for Long Neptune[1][2][3][4] |
| Maximum speed | Subsonic[1] |
TheR-360 Neptune (Ukrainian:Р-360 «Нептун»,romanized: R-360 "Neptun") is a Ukrainian family of subsoniccruise missiles with all-weather capabilities developed by theLuch Design Bureau inKyiv as ananti-ship missile, with a later variant for land attack. Neptune's design is based on the SovietKh-35 subsonic anti-ship missile, with substantially improved range, targeting and electronics equipment.[5][better source needed] It has a range of over 200 kilometres.
The system requirement was for a single missile to defeat surface warships and transport vessels with a displacement of up to 9,000 tonnes, either in convoys or moving individually. The first training missiledivizion (battalion) entered service with theUkrainian Navy in March 2021,[6] with the first operational naval use in 2022. The land-attack variant has a new guidance system and was first fielded and used in 2023. "Long Neptune", an extended range land-attack variant with a claimed 1000 km range, was first used in 2025, according to Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy.[4][7]
The missile was first revealed at the 2015Arms and Security international exhibition in Kyiv.[8]
According to information from open sources, the first flight examples of the cruise missile were manufactured in the second quarter of 2016. Production of advanced missile systems took place in cooperation with other Ukrainian companies, including Artem Luch,Motor Sich (MS400 turbofan engine), ZhMZ Vizar Kyiv,Radionix [uk] (seeker) andArsenal SDP SE (navigation system).[citation needed]
The first tests of the system were conducted on 22 March 2016, attended by Secretary of theNational Security and Defense Council (NSDC)Oleksandr Turchynov. In mid-2017, Neptune missiles were tested concurrently withVilkha launchers and missiles. The test results and capabilities of the Neptune were not made public, unlike those of the Vilkha.[9] According to the press service of the NSDC, the first successful flight tests of the system took place on 30 January 2018.[10] On 17 August 2018, the missile successfully hit a target at a range of 100 kilometres (62 mi) during test firings in southernOdesa Oblast.[11] On 6 April 2019, the missile was again successfully tested, hitting targets during tests nearOdesa. According to PresidentPetro Poroshenko, the Neptune system would be delivered to theUkrainian military in December 2019.[12]
After the withdrawal of the United States and Russia from theIntermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Ukraine announced that it was considering developing intermediate-range cruise missiles. Ukraine signed a memorandum with Indonesia on concluding a contract for the supply of Neptune missiles, first reported in December 2020.[13] Thus, Indonesia may become the first foreign buyer of Neptune, according toDefense Express [uk] with reference to the Ukrainian special exporter State Enterprise (SE) "Progress".
In March 2021, theUkrainian Navy obtained the first training missile battalion of the RK-360MC Neptune.[6]
On 18 November 2024, Ukraine claimed that serial production of Neptune missiles had been expanded and it had built 100 so far that year.[14]
On 15 March 2025, President Zelenskyy claimed that the new Long Neptune missile can reach targets up to 1,000 km away, which is further than the 500 km range of theTaurus cruise missile.[15]
On 3 April 2022, during theRussian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian sources claimed that theRussian frigate Admiral Essen had been damaged by Ukrainian forces.[16] Later,Oleksiy Arestovych, a freelance adviser to theOffice of the President of Ukraine, clarified thatAdmiral Essen had been hit by a Neptune missile. The Russians did not comment on the claim and the ship continued its mission as normal.[17][18]
On 13 April 2022, Ukrainian sources claimed theRussian cruiser Moskva was hit by two Neptune missiles, resulting in a fire and subsequent explosion of a shipboard ammunition store.[19] TheRussian Ministry of Defence stated, without discussing the cause, that a fire had caused munitions to explode and the crew had been fully evacuated.[20][21][22] Russia reported the vessel as still being afloat later in the day of the fire, but Russian state media subsequently reported that she had sunk in inclement weather while being towed.[23][24]
According to Thomas Shugart, a formerU.S. Navy submarine commander,Slava-class cruisers likeMoskva have been typically "known for their offensive punch, not for their defensive systems or their damage control".[25]Moskva was one of the largest warships sunk in combat sinceWorld War II.[26] The successful use of the Neptune system to sink the warship was cited by Ukrainian Defence MinisterOleksii Reznikov as giving confidence to Ukraine's allies that more weapon supplies to Ukraine would be worth it.[27]
A land attack variant was being designed and, as of April 2023, was close to completion. The Neptune missile was initially designed to hit ships at sea. According to a Ukrainian official: "Ukraine is working to modify Neptune missile to strike land targets ... A new guiding/homing system is required, but Ukrainians are working on that ... Once we get that, the Neptunes can hit targets 360 km (about 225 miles) away. We are pretty close."[28]
On 23 August 2023, according to Ukrainian media reports, a modified R-360 missile was used to destroy aS-400 missile system radar, deployed onCape Tarkhankut in Crimea since 2016.[29][30]
On 14 September, Ukrainian forces subsequently claimed to have destroyed S-400 missile systems near Yevpatoriya using drones and Neptune missiles.[31] One day earlier, two Russian vessels inSevastopol were heavily damaged by either Neptune orStorm Shadow cruise missiles.[32]
On 26 March 2024, Ukraine claimed to have struck theKonstantin Olshansky with a Neptune missile. This vessel was seized from Ukraine in 2014, when Russian forces took control of the Crimean peninsula.[33]
On 9 April 2024, Russian forces claimed to have intercepted a Neptune missile near the Crimean coast.[34]
On 21 April 2024, a video was released from Sukharnaya Bay, Sevastopol, that allegedly shows the salvage shipKommuna hit by a Ukrainian Neptune missile.[35]Kommuna took part in salvage efforts afterMoskva was hit in 2022.
In April 2024, Ukraine was working on extending the range of the missile to 1,000 km (620 mi), while increasing production tenfold.[36]
On 31 May 2024, Ukraine fired several Neptune missiles at an oil depot attached toPort Kavkaz,Krasnodar Krai. Russian officials claimed to have shot down the missiles. Ukrainian officials and Russian opposition reported a fire and damage to three petroleum tanks.[37]
The new land attack variant is calledNeptune-MD by Russian forces. Ukrainians call it the Long Neptune. On 21 June 2024, a Neptune struck a Shahed drone depot and training facility in Krasnodar.[38]
On 31 July 2024, a Neptune struck an airbase inKursk, Russia, one hundred kilometres from the border with Ukraine, hitting "a warehouse for storing weapons and military equipment," according to Ukrainian officials. Russia claimed to have shot down the missile.[39]
On 2 August 2024, Romania and Ukraine announced a plan to manufacture and improve the Neptune missile.[40]
On the morning of 21 August 2024, the Ukrainian military claimed to have struck a Russian S-300 air defense system in Rostov Oblast overnight, possibly by using a Neptune missile.[41][42]
On 10 January 2025, the Ukrainian military claimed to have hit a military warehouse in the Rostov region by a long range Neptune missile.[43]
Images of the Long Neptune were released. Roughly one and a half metres longer than the R-360 version, the fuselage of the missile has been expanded from 38 cm to about 50 cm. Enlarged as well are the wing and tail surfaces. The warhead appears the same as the original R-360 version.[44]
On 28 August 2025, a Neptune missile battery tried to attack targets in Krasnodar Krai, from a location in Ukraine. FourS-300 missiles intercepted the Neptune missiles. A drone then gave the launcher’s location to a RussianIskander ballistic missile team, that then managed to either damage or destroy the Neptune missile launcher.[45]
On 29 September 2025, four Neptune missiles struck theKarachev electrical components plant. The plant manufactured electrical components for the Russian military.[46]
During 2024 over 50 plus attacks were carried out by the Ukrainian Navy using Neptune missiles.[47]
On 31 October 2025, Neptune missiles struck the Oryol thermal power plant resulting in a power outage. Neptune missiles also struck the Novobryansk substation, near Bryansk.[48][49]
The Neptune uses a solid-fuel booster rocket to launch it into the air. After the fuel is expended the rocket stage falls away and the jet engine takes over, providing the necessary thrust.[50] A Neptune missile, including rocket motor, is 5.05 metres (16 ft 7 in) in length, with a cross-shaped hard wing. They are designed to be housed in transport and launch containers with dimensions 5.3 by 0.6 by 0.6 metres (209 in × 24 in × 24 in). The system has a maximum range of about 300 kilometres (190 mi).[51][3] A single missile weighs 870 kilograms (1,920 lb), of which 150 kilograms (330 lb) is the warhead.[6] It uses aMotor Sich MS400 engine which has a highthrust-to-weight ratio.[52]
When deployed, a Neptune coastal defence system comprises a truck-based USPU-360 mobile launcher, four missiles, a TZM-360 transport/reload vehicle, a RCP-360command and control vehicle, and a special cargo vehicle. CzechTatra T815-7 trucks replaced prototypeKrAZ vehicles. The system is designed to operate inland up to 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the coastline.[6]
Anti-ship variant, capable of ground attack as well, carrying a 150-kilogram warhead. Range is said to be 280 kilometres.
Extended range variant, capable of flying up to 1,000 kilometers and armed with a 260-kilogram warhead. Capable of striking land and sea targets, operating without satellite navigation and "terrain-following flight".[53]
On 7 October 2025, a new version of the Neptune was revealed. It is believed to be a version in between the range of 280 kilometres for the original R-360 anti-ship missile and the 1000 kilometres range for the Long Neptune. Notable features include side bulges from the fuselage, believed to be fuel tanks.[54][55]
Other subsonic anti-ship missiles
The first training missile division joined the navy's only artillery brigade on March 15, as part of the formation's newly-created coastal defense missile battalion.
Media related toNeptune (cruise missile) at Wikimedia Commons
