Jane’s 360:
Russia plans to modernise some retired Kh-22 (AS-4 ‘Kitchen’) air-to-surface missiles and return them to operational status, according to a 15 May report in Izvestia. Ministry of Defence sources told the newspaper a total of 32 missiles will be refurbished under a three-year contract worth RUB300 million (USD4.8 million).
Developed by Raduga design bureau in the 1960s, the Kh-22 was the main weapon carried by Soviet Tu-22M ‘Backfire’ bombers until the end of the Cold War. The missile, armed with nuclear or conventional warheads, was intended primarily for use against US and NATO aircraft carriers and battle groups. But it could also target strategic installations ashore.
