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Source– This post on Iskander-M is based on the article “ On Cam: Putin’s Iskander Missile Strikes Ukrainian Airbase; Su-27 Jet & S-300 System Hit” published in “Hindustan Times” on 14th June 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, Russia claimed that it used the nuclear-capable Iskander-M missile system to target the Ukrainian military airbase in Mirgorod.
About Iskander-M
1. The Iskander (Western reporting name: SS-26 Stone) is a road-mobile short-range ballistic missile system developed by Russia.
2. It entered Russian service in 2006. It is designed for tactical strikes on small, high-value land targets.
3. Features
i) The missile is 7.3 meters long, 0.92 meters in diameter, and has a launch weight of 3,750 kilograms.
ii) It has a range of 400-500 km and uses both inertial and optical guidance systems.
iii) It can carry conventional and nuclear warheads up to 700 kg.
iv) Missiles can travel at up to seven times the speed of sound (Mach 7) and can reach an altitude of more than 30 miles.
v) It employs a maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) and decoys to defeat theater missile defense systems.
vi) It is equipped with various systems for in-flight correction and self-targeting, allowing the missile to overcome missile defense systems.
vii) It has various variants such as Iskander-E and Iskander-K.
