Russia successfully launched its new hypersonic Kinzhal missile on Saturday, its defence ministry said, part of President Vladimir Putin's much-vaunted armaments boost.

Video released by the ministry showed a military jet taking off carrying a large missile before launching it mid-flight.

President Vladimir Putin unveiled an array of new weapons on March 1, in one of his most bellicose speeches in years, ahead of a presidential election on March 18 that he is expected to win comfortably.

Russia successfully launches new Kinzhal hypersonic missile

Putin claims that the nuclear-powered cruise missile tested last fall has a "practically unlimited" range and high speed and maneuverability allowing it to pierce any missile defense.

The Russian leader also claimed he has a high-speed underwater drone with an "intercontinental" range and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that could target both aircraft carriers and coastal facilities. Putin said its "very big" operational depth and a speed that is at least 10 times higher than any other vessel would make it immune to enemy intercept.

Putin accompanied his statement to an audience of hundreds of senior officials and lawmakers with videos and computer images of new weapons, which were shown on giant screens at a conference hall near the Kremlin.

A computer video showed the drone being launched by a submarine, cruising over the seabed, hitting an aircraft carrier and also exploding near the shore.