Iskander Ballistic Missile

Full Specifications

9K720 Iskander Tactical Ballistic Missile System

The Iskander tactical ballistic missile system is one of Russia’s most prominent short-range precision-strike weapons, designed to engage high-value military targets with rapid-launch capability and advanced guidance technology. Developed by the Kolomna Machine-Building Design Bureau and introduced in the mid-2000s, the system is intended to penetrate modern air defenses and deliver strategic-level effects on critical infrastructure and command positions.

The Iskander family includes the Iskander-M (Russian service), Iskander-E (export variant), and related derivatives with varying ranges and payload options. The Iskander-M variant is believed to have a range of up to 500 km, while the export version is limited to 280–300 km, complying with international arms restrictions. The missile can travel at supersonic speeds, maneuver in flight, and execute terminal evasive actions designed to complicate interception by modern missile defense systems.

Design & Capabilities

The Iskander system uses solid-fuel propulsion, enabling rapid launch from a mobile transporter-erector-launcher (TEL). Its guidance suite typically combines inertial navigation, GLONASS satellite correction, and an electro-optical terminal seeker, supporting a claimed CEP of 5–7 meters. Warhead configurations include high-explosive, fragmentation, penetrating, cluster, and potentially nuclear payloads depending on user requirements.

Operational Use

9K720 Iskander missiles have been widely deployed within Russian military districts and have seen use in various regional conflicts, underscoring their role in modern deterrence and battlefield shaping. Their mobility, accuracy, and rapid redeployment make them a central element of Russia’s short-range strike doctrine.

9K720 Iskander Tactical Ballistic Missile System Price in United State

The Iskander system is not available for U.S. procurement or foreign military sales. However, comparable U.S. tactical missile systems, such as ATACMS, range between $1.0–1.5 million per missile, providing context for its estimated cost category.