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Breaking News: New Russian Iskander-1000 Ground Missile Ready for Deployment in Ukraine with 1,000 km Range.


According to information published by the Russian Press Agency Sputnik on February 4, 2025, a new version of Russia's Iskander surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile, dubbed the Iskander-1000 able to reach a range of up to 1,000 in lace of the 400 km of the Iskander-M version, is set to be deployed in Ukraine in the near future. The missile's extended range and advanced capabilities are expected to heighten concerns among NATO nations due to its potential to strike targets at unprecedented distances.
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Externally, the Iskander-1000 closely resembles earlier Iskander variants, maintaining its 7.3-meter length and 0.92-meter diameter, with key upgrades to enhance range and performance. (Picture source: Yandex images)


The Iskander-1000 missile represents a significant upgrade over the earlier variants of the Iskander missile system, which has been a prominent weapon in Russia's arsenal. The Iskander-1000 significantly outperforms its predecessors in terms of firing range. While earlier versions of the Iskander missile, such as the Iskander-M, had a maximum range of around 500 km, the Iskander-1000 extends this capability to 1,000 kilometers with conventional warheads and up to 1,300 kilometers with a special nuclear warhead. This extended range marks a notable leap in Russia’s tactical missile capabilities, allowing the Iskander-1000 to target distant and strategically vital locations beyond the reach of previous Iskander variants, further complicating defense efforts from NATO and Ukrainian forces.

The missile of the Iskander-1000 is capable of carrying a variety of warhead types, including high-explosive fragmentation, penetrating, cluster, and volumetric detonating warheads. The latter makes it a formidable weapon for a wide range of strategic and tactical targets, from infrastructure to military assets.

Externally, the Iskander-1000 bears a close resemblance to the earlier Iskander variants, measuring 7.3 meters in length and 0.92 meters in diameter, with a launch weight of approximately 3.8 tons. However, several key design improvements contribute to its increased range and performance. The missile's enhanced range of 500-800 kilometers over previous versions is primarily achieved through an increase in the volume of solid fuel. This fuel increase—by 10-15%—boosts engine performance and extends the missile's flight duration. Additionally, the Iskander-1000 is powered by a more energy-dense fuel called octogen, which allows the missile to reach speeds of 2,700-3,100 meters per second, a significant improvement over the 2,100 m/s speed of the previous 9M723-1/K5 model. This speed is comparable to that of Russia’s Kinzhal missile, which also operates at hypersonic speeds.

The Iskander-1000 follows a quasi-ballistic flight trajectory, reaching a peak altitude of 120-130 kilometers. This high trajectory significantly complicates interception efforts, as current anti-missile systems are ill-equipped to intercept missiles at such altitudes. For instance, NATO’s SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles, which are deployed in Poland, have aerodynamic control capabilities effective up to 35 kilometers, far below the altitude at which the Iskander-1000 operates. Furthermore, interceptors such as the SM-3 and THAAD systems rely on infrared homing guidance, which becomes less effective at altitudes above 95-120 kilometers, further reducing the likelihood of interception.

The missile also exhibits exceptional maneuverability at both the initial and final stages of its flight. The Iskander-1000 employs tail aerodynamic control units and aerodynamic rudders, enabling the missile to maneuver at accelerations of up to 25-30 g. During its descent in the stratosphere, the missile reaches speeds of 1,600-1,900 m/s, nearly 5 times the speed of sound. As it enters the troposphere, its speed decreases to around 1,400-1,600 m/s, making it difficult for current defense systems to target the missile in its final approach.

Similar to earlier Iskander variants, the Iskander-1000 can be equipped with a variety of warheads, including nuclear payloads with a yield ranging from 10 to 50 kilotons. The new missile's warhead options include high-explosive fragmentation, designed for precision strikes on point targets such as military installations, launchers, or warehouses; penetrating warheads intended for hard targets like bunkers and underground facilities; and cluster warheads used for area-effect targeting, such as concentrations of troops, equipment, or infrastructure. This cluster warhead can cover an area of up to 1 hectare, ensuring substantial damage to large, concentrated targets.

The development of the Iskander-1000 has followed a swift timeline. The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces announced on December 23, 2023, that medium- and short-range missiles, including the Iskander-1000, would be fast-tracked into active service. Following this, on May 6, 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that production of these advanced systems had begun. Russian President Vladimir Putin further confirmed the production timeline on June 28, 2024, underscoring the rapid pace at which these missiles are being integrated into Russia's military strategy.

Despite the development of the Iskander-1000 being widely reported, there are currently no verified images or confirmed reports of its active deployment on the Ukrainian battlefield. However, its potential deployment would undoubtedly shift the balance of power in the ongoing conflict, posing new challenges to NATO and Ukrainian forces.

The Iskander-1000's advanced capabilities, especially its long-range and maneuverability, are a cause for significant concern among NATO countries. With its ability to strike critical infrastructure, military bases, and strategic targets well beyond the current operational range of NATO’s missile defense systems, this new missile could undermine the effectiveness of existing air defense strategies. The missile’s deployment in Ukraine would mark a dangerous escalation in the conflict, with the potential to significantly increase the stakes for NATO member states. Given the missile’s nuclear capabilities, the Iskander-1000 could also alter the strategic calculus, raising concerns about the broader implications for European security and the risks of nuclear escalation.

As tensions continue to rise, the emergence of the Iskander-1000 highlights the growing technological arms race and the challenges facing NATO in countering Russia's increasingly sophisticated missile systems.


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