RUSSIA TEST-FIRES 'IDEAL' HYPERSONIC MISSILE

RUSSIA  said Sunday it successfully launched a *hypersonic missile* which  President Vladimir Putin called-

''An ideal weapon'' as he unveiled a new array of  next generation arms earlier this month.

The high-precision  Kinzhal {Dagger}  missile was launched from a........ MIG-31 supersonic interceptor jet that took off from an airfield in the South Military District in Russia's south-west, the defence ministry said.

''The launch went as planned, the hypersonic missile hit its target.'' the Ministry added.

The ministry released video footage showing two pilots gearing up for a flight and then running towards a jet with a large missile slung beneath its underbelly.

Set to rousing patriotic music, the video then shows a missile detaching from the airborne plane, and gliding across the dark sky, leaving a fiery trail behind.

Kinxhal missile was one of an array of new weapons Putin unveiled in his state-of-the-nation address earlier this month, ahead   of    presidential election on March 18 that he is all but guaranteed to win.

Putin said the missile flies at  10 times  the speed of sound and can overcome any air defence systems.

The missile has been deployed in the Southern Military District since December 1, he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin  said on Facebook that work had also been done to modernize  the  ''unique''  MIG-31 supersonic jet that will carry the missile. [Agencies].