In Ukraine, the new Neptun cruise missile is widely advertised, which is in fact a slightly modified Kh-35 Uran anti-ship missile of Soviet design. The modified rocket used parts and components made back in the USSR.
About the project "Neptune", which deals with the Kiev "Luch" design bureau, talks have been going on since 2013. The main purpose of the project is to contain Russian actions in the Sea of Azov. The presented rocket can accelerate to 300 km / h and is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing 150 kg. The rocket can be launched from the ground, water and air.
The prototype "Neptune" is in service with the Russian Navy since 2003 and has a smaller range and size. The rest of the complexes are completely identical. But a significant change has been made to the Ukrainian version - a new inertial flight control with radar aiming at the target is installed on it.
At one time, Ukraine took an active part in the design and manufacture of the X-35. She spent a lot of effort on her Z95-300 engine. Therefore, it makes no sense to be surprised that Ukrainian engineers apply the obtained results to the production of the X-35 similarity. Thus, Ukraine avoids the high costs of designing and producing new weapons systems.
Meanwhile, the implementation of the Ukrainian project has not been without problems. This was due to a number of reasons, in particular, Ukraine has a rather meager military budget - it is only 3.1 billion US dollars. On the way to the implementation of the "Neptune" project, it was also the fact that at one time technological and production ties between Ukraine and the Russian Federation were violated. The fact is that the Kh-35 rocket and its prototypes were created under the conditions of the impressive economic power of the USSR, and Ukraine has to invest in new and not always effective technical solutions, and often they are based on developments made in the USSR.
The last statement is peculiar to the project "Neptune". It used the power plant, which in its properties is close to the Soviet TRDD-50
Nevertheless, Ukraine was able to achieve some success in creating this system. The "Neptune" project is a milestone in the history of Ukraine’s rocket science, and it became an example of what difficulties Kiev faces in improving weapons for its army.
Meanwhile, the president of the Russian Academy of Geopolitical Problems, Doctor of Military Sciences Konstantin Sivkov, said at one time that Ukraine does not have the capacity to manufacture the Neptune rocket. For this, Ukraine must have a well-developed infrastructure and highly qualified personnel. cheeks. "
