Kalibr is a Russian sea-launched cruise missile family centered on the 3M-14 land-attack missile known to NATO as SS-N-30A, with related anti-ship and anti-submarine branches. Russian naval forces used Kalibr as a long-range strike showcase in Syria and then as part of repeated missile campaigns against Ukraine, where recovered 3M14 missiles have provided public evidence on warheads, guidance, and imported electronics.
Russian forces have used Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles from Black Sea naval platforms in long-range strikes across Ukraine, including attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure and missiles later recovered or shot down by Ukrainian air-defense forces.
Role detailsRussian surface ships and submarines launched 3M-14 Kalibr cruise missiles into Syria from the Caspian Sea and Mediterranean during Russia's intervention, including documented strikes in 2015 and 2016.
Role detailsUkraine's Ministry of Defence technical review of downed Kalibr missiles described changes visible in 3M14 rounds recovered during the Russia-Ukraine War.
| Finding | What the review documented | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Warhead fit | Earlier 2022-2026 missiles carried high-explosive fragmentation warheads, while spring 2026 examples included a cluster warhead. | Shows that Russian forces were adapting payload options during continued wartime use. |
| Guidance package | The reviewed missiles used combined navigation, including inertial, satellite, radio-altimeter, terrain-profile, and terminal seeker inputs. | Explains why the missile is treated as a precision land-attack system rather than a simple unguided payload. |
| Imported electronics | The review found a return to imported components after earlier substitution with Russian analogues. | Connects the weapon to sanctions-evasion and production-sustainment questions. |
Kalibr is a family designation covering land-attack, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missiles adapted for surface-ship and submarine launch systems.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3M-14 / SS-N-30A | Land-attack cruise missile | Primary long-range land-attack branch of the family, documented in Russian naval strikes in Syria and Ukraine. Sources: 3M-14 Kalibr (SS-N-30A), 3M-14 Kalibr (SS-N-30A) | MDAA, Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Technical Analysis of Downed Kalibr Missiles |
| 3M-14T Kalibr-NK | Surface-ship land-attack configuration | MDAA identifies Kalibr-NK as the surface-vessel land-attack version carried by Russian warships. Sources: 3M-14 Kalibr (SS-N-30A) | MDAA |
| 3M-14K Kalibr-PL | Submarine land-attack configuration | Submarine-launched Kalibr configuration associated with the Club-S/Kalibr-PL launch system. Sources: 3M-14 Kalibr (SS-N-30A) | MDAA |
| 3M-54 / SS-N-27 | Anti-ship cruise missile branch | CSIS treats 3M-54/Club as the anti-ship branch of the Kalibr family with ship and submarine basing. Sources: 3M-54 Kalibr/Club (SS-N-27) | Missile Threat - CSIS |
| 91R anti-submarine variants | Anti-submarine branch | Listed as part of the wider Kalibr family rather than the 3M-14 land-attack missile itself. Sources: 3M-14 Kalibr (SS-N-30A) |
MDAA's Kalibr overview lists several Russian surface combatants that can launch the family from UKSK systems.
| Launcher | Launcher type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Missile corvette | MDAA lists Buyan-M-class ships among the surface platforms that can launch Kalibr. Sources: A Brave New World | MDAA |
 | Frigate | MDAA lists Gepard-class frigates among the surface platforms that can launch Kalibr. Sources: A Brave New World | MDAA |
 | Frigate | MDAA lists Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates among the surface platforms that can launch Kalibr. Sources: A Brave New World | MDAA |
 | Frigate | MDAA lists Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates among the surface platforms that can launch Kalibr. Sources: A Brave New World | MDAA |
 | Corvette | MDAA lists Gremyashchy-class corvettes among the surface platforms that can launch Kalibr. Sources: A Brave New World | MDAA |
The same MDAA overview also lists submarine classes that can launch Kalibr from underwater tubes.
| Launcher | Launcher type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Attack submarine | MDAA lists Kilo-class submarines among the submarine launchers for Kalibr. Sources: A Brave New World | MDAA |
 | Cruise-missile submarine | MDAA lists Yasen-class submarines among the submarine launchers for Kalibr. Sources: A Brave New World | MDAA |
Defense News reported that four Russian warships in the Caspian Sea launched 26 Kalibr missiles at targets in Syria, showing the family's long reach from small surface ships.
Sources: Is Caspian Sea Fleet a Game-Changer? - Defense News
Defense News reported that the diesel-electric submarine Rostov-on-Don fired Kalibr cruise missiles from a submerged position in the Mediterranean, the first reported submarine launch in the Syrian campaign.
Sources: Russian Submarine Hits Targets in Syria - Defense News
CSIS reported that the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich launched 3M-14 Kalibr missiles from the Mediterranean Sea into Syria.
Sources: Russia fires cruise missiles as part of offensive in Syria
USNI News reported videos that appeared to show Russian Black Sea Fleet ships firing naval cruise missiles into Ukraine, while noting that the footage could not be independently verified.
Sources: New Videos Show Russian Navy Firing 8 Naval Cruise Missiles from the Black Sea
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence published findings from downed 3M14 Kalibr missiles, including warhead changes and continued reliance on imported electronics.
Sources: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Technical Analysis of Downed Kalibr Missiles
