What is Iskander-M?

About Iskander-M

• The Iskander (Western reporting name: SS-26 Stone) is a road-mobile short-range ballistic missile system developed by Russia.
• It entered Russian service in 2006. It was first used by the Russians in 2008 against Georgia.
• It is designed for tactical strikes on small, high-value land targets. 
• This system can use different types of missiles.

Iskander-M Features

• It is 7.3 meters long, 0.92 meters in diameter, and has a launch weight of 3,750 kilograms.
• The missiles possess a maximum range of 500 km and carry payloads between 480 and 700 kg.
• It can carry conventional and nuclear warheads.
• Its missiles can travel at up to seven times the speed of sound (Mach 7) and can reach an altitude of more than 30 miles.
• It employs a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) and decoys to defeat theater missile defense systems.
• It is also equipped with various systems for in-flight correction and self-targeting, allowing the missile to overcome missile defense systems.

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Iskander-M Variants

• Iskander-E: Export version, range: 280 km.
• Iskander-K: New version, unveiled in 2007, with a new cruise missile R-500, range: 280 km max.

Iskander-M FAQs

Q1. What is the range of the Iskander M missile?

Ans. The Iskander M missile has a range of 500 km.

Q2. What is a ballistic missile?

Ans. A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled weapon that follows a high-arching, free-fall trajectory after launch, typically used to deliver warheads over long distances.

Q3. What is a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV)?

Ans. A MaRV is a type of warhead designed to change its flight path during reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing it to evade missile defense systems.

Source: IND