Issues of increasing the range of the Iskander OTRK
At the moment, the main operational-tactical missile system of the Russian army is the 9K720 Iskander-M. At the beginning of the last decade, the troops received the latest modification of this OTRK, and it is quite possible that work is already underway on another modernization. It may lead to an improvement in the tactical and technical characteristics and combat qualities of the system.
Achievements achieved
To date, the Russian defense industry has developed three main modifications of the 9K270 OTRK. These are the basic version of the Iskander, which was adopted for service in the XNUMXs, its upgraded version, the Iskander-M, and the Iskander-K with an expanded range of ammunition.
The Iskander-M uses 9M723 ballistic missiles, while the Iskander-K uses 9M728 and 9M729 cruise missiles. Despite the differences in design, the missiles have the same range - less than 500 km. They are equipped with warheads of different types weighing 480 kg.
It is believed that the 500 km firing range limitation is not due to the technical capabilities of domestic rocket engineering, but to legal restrictions. At the time of the Iskander development, the Soviet-American Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was in effect, which imposed a limitation on the range of missiles for land-based OTRKs.
Foreign suspicions
For many years, the United States has regularly accused Russia of violating the INF Treaty. According to the American side, Russian industry has developed and at least tested several land-based missiles with a range of 500 to 5500 km.
Cruise missile takeoff
For example, in 2014, the administration of President Barack Obama drew attention to the 9M729 cruise missile. The United States believed that this product was beyond the operational-tactical class and had an actual flight range of more than 500 km. Subsequently, this missile was repeatedly recalled and used as a pretext for unfriendly statements and actions.
The Russian side denied these accusations. Moreover, in 2019, the Russian Defense Ministry held a special press conference where the 9M729 missile was presented and official data about it was disclosed. It was reported that this missile does indeed expand the combat capabilities of the serial Iskander OTRK, but does not violate any international agreements.
However, Washington was not satisfied with Russia’s explanations. After much threatening, the US officially withdrew from the INF Treaty in August 2019. Shortly thereafter, they began developing new intermediate- and shorter-range missiles. In turn, Russia declared its right to a symmetrical response to such developments.
Official statements
Until recently, it was not known how the Russian leadership planned to respond to the new types of American missiles. However, this has recently changed, and officials have repeatedly raised the issue in recent months.
In December 2023, the Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, Colonel General Sergei Karakayev, in an interview for Krasnaya Zvezda, spoke about the possibility of creating new missile systems. He noted that the Russian industry is capable of developing and launching into production shorter- and medium-range systems in a short time. They will complement the existing missile weapons of different classes, increasing the country's overall defense capability.
Launch of the 9M723 ballistic missile
In early May 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an important statement. In response to aggressive words and actions of foreign countries, the department indicated that Russian industry was starting production of advanced medium- and shorter-range missile systems.
Finally, in late June, the topic of new weapons was raised by President Vladimir Putin. He stated that the American program of deploying medium- and shorter-range missiles outside the United States would be answered by similar systems of Russian manufacture.
It should be noted that Russian officials have so far only used the most general formulations and have not named specific developments and models, their parameters, etc. The exact plans of our leadership remain unknown for now, but it is now clear that work is being done in this direction.
New version
In May, the famous Kapustin Yar testing ground, which is of particular importance for domestic missile weapons, celebrated its 78th anniversary. In honor of the anniversary, the Ministry of Defense prepared a video showing the past and present of this testing site.
The video featured various missile systems, including modern and advanced systems. Of particular interest were the footage of the testing of a system reminiscent of the Iskander OTRK. This was a launcher of a serial or modernized system, removed from the standard chassis and installed on supports. It contained a missile ready for launch. The launch of the product was also shown.
Unknown experimental missile complex at the Kapustin Yar test site
The quality of the video imposes certain limitations, but it can be assumed that the installation did not have a standard Iskander missile from the arsenals of the Missile Forces and Artillery. The serial product and the missile from the test site have different fairing shapes and body proportions. Perhaps, the Ministry of Defense demonstrated a completely new ballistic missile for the 9K720 complex for the first time.
The MilitaryRussia.ru portal offers its own version. Its authors suggest that a new long-range missile could have been tested at the testing ground. This is precisely what weapon previously mentioned by officials. Due to secrecy, it could only be mentioned in passing in the recent past, but now it has become possible to show the rocket at the launch stage.
When developing such a missile, the main task could have been to increase the launch range. The characteristics of the Iskander complex are no longer constrained by international agreements, and its missiles can fly not only 500 km. Perhaps the authors of the new project managed to significantly increase the range indicators or even double them.
Judging by the available images, the long-range missile is not fundamentally different from the existing 9M723. It is still a single-stage solid-fuel munition with an autonomous control system based on inertial and satellite navigation. Probably, the old and new missiles are maximally unified in various units and assemblies. At the same time, one can note the increased length of the engine compartment and the reduction in the length of the conical fairing. This indicates the use of a new engine.
While the basic dimensions and weight remain at the level of serial missiles, the new ammunition will be able to be used by serial launchers. At the same time, the self-propelled combat vehicle will probably need some modifications. In particular, it will need an update to the fire control system to work with a long-range missile.
Launch of a missile, presumably of extended range
Weapons of the future
Thus, it is now known that some new missile systems are already being developed in our country, which will surpass the existing Iskander-M and Iskander-K in terms of range characteristics. Moreover, as was stated, the promising product is already ready for production and may soon enter service.
It is unknown what the new long-range missile for the Russian RVA will be like. So far, there are only assumptions based on available materials. Probably, in the foreseeable future, the Ministry of Defense and industry will disclose information about new projects, but when this will happen is also unclear.
However, it is already clear what consequences the emergence of the new missile will have. The promising short- or medium-range complex will probably enter service with the Missile Forces and will complement their existing OTRK of current models. It will take on the task of hitting targets beyond the range of the Iskander and will increase the area of responsibility of the missile units.
Thanks to new technology, missile forces and artillery ground forces will be able to solve more complex combat tasks and inflict greater damage on the enemy. In addition, the presence of several systems with different characteristics will increase the flexibility of their combat use. Ultimately, this will have a positive effect on the country's defense capability.
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