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Vladimir Putin’s defence bosses confirmed “as of today” its military has weapons which we can supposedly fly up to eight times of the speed of sound.

Head of the defence council Viktor Bondarev confirmed the Zircon cruise missile is now available in Russia’s arsenal while speaking on Tuesday.

The weapon – which Russia boasts is capable of Mach 8 – was last tested back in June.

Hypersonic weapons are the at the centre of the next arms race between the US, China and Russia.

And it appears Moscow have taken an early lead as they boast the weapons can beat NATO missile interceptors.

(Image: GETTY/Ildus Gilyazutdinov)

The Zircon – also known as Tsirkon – has been in development for over 20 years since first being unvieled in 1995.

Russian warships, submarines, missile launchers and planes will be armed with weapon capable of manoeuvring around defence systems.

It is designed to blast enemy ships out of the water and is capable of flying 250 miles at speeds of up to 6,138mph.

Chillingly, current Royal Navy missile interceptors are only capable of shooting down missiles hurtling towards them at speeds of Mach 3.

(Image: SG) (Image: GETTY)

Bondarev said: “As of today, we have in our arsenal unique strategic bombers tactical missile systems with powerful ballistic and cruise missiles, Sarmat heavy missile complexes, air defence missile systems, intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-powered missile cruisers with powerful anti-ship missiles and Skif bottom missiles.”

Russian media reports he is referring to the hypersonic weapons when he says “powerful anti-ship missiles”.

Moscow has been investing billions as its looks to bring Russia back to the world stage as a military superpower on par with NATO.

Scientists have previously warned Russia is up to 15 years ahead in the new hypersonic arms race.

Putin has earmarked the weapons to be equipped on his two battlecruisers the Admiral Nakhimov and Pyotr Velikiy.

Russian forces also tested it on their Backfire bombers, and from ground-based missile launchers.

The missile is said to be so advanced, Russian scientists have had to develop new fuel to power it.

(Image: GETTY)

China also revealed hypersonic weapons this week – boasting their new nuclear ICBM can reach speeds close to 20,000 mph.

US Air Force Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein said earlier this year: "Our adversaries aren’t standing still. They are looking for every advantage they can get.”

Hypersonic aircraft and missiles are expected to become the norm by the 2030s.