Combat characteristics and range: Iskander OTRK in the foreign press

The Iskander OTRK involved in the demilitarization of Ukraine. Photo by the Russian Defense Ministry
Russian operational-tactical missile The 9K720 Iskander complex attracts the attention of foreign experts and the press. Each new modification and any measures aimed at increasing combat effectiveness become a reason for discussion. In recent weeks, the topic of upgrading the complex and its missiles in order to increase the main indicators has been raised abroad again.
Penetrating high-explosive
Since February 2022, the Iskander OTRK and their combat crews have been actively participating in the Special Operation to Demilitarize Ukraine. Missiles of available types are launched almost daily at various enemy targets. At the same time, various reconnaissance assets carry out objective monitoring of the results of the strikes.
The results of missile launches are of interest not only to the Russian side, but also to the enemy and its foreign patrons. In particular, Ukrainian and foreign militants are searching for the fragments of fallen missiles, studying them and trying to draw conclusions. The latest results of such "activity" were demonstrated in mid-January.
Ukrainian sources claim that a penetrating warhead was found at the site of another Iskander strike. Such warheads on 9K720 missiles used against Ukrainian targets have not been observed before. A photo of the item extracted from the ground was attached to the report.

Presumably, a penetrating warhead for the 9M723 missile. Photo Telegram / "Military Informant"
The shown warhead has an ogive-shaped body with a pointed head. The dimensions and weight of this object are unknown. Judging by the condition of the outer surface and the absence of serious deformations, the warhead has a thick-walled body of great strength. Due to this, it was able to pass through a certain structure or through the ground without significant damage. Despite all this, the warhead did not detonate for unknown reasons.
Ammunition Nomenclature
Whether to trust the Ukrainian side's assessments is a rhetorical question. It is not known for certain what exactly was shown in mid-January, where this object came from and whether it really has anything to do with the Iskander OTRK. However, the available information allows us to consider the version about the use of a penetrating warhead.
Let us recall that the 9K720 complex was developed to destroy various enemy targets and objects. Its missiles are capable of destroying manpower and unprotected equipment both in open terrain and in shelters, as well as disabling various weapons systems and complexes at a parking lot and at a firing position. In addition, the complex can effectively destroy various structures, including fortified ones.
The main ammunition of the Iskander of all modifications is the quasi-ballistic missile 9M723. In order to expand combat capabilities and ensure the destruction of a wide range of targets, a whole line of warheads was created for this missile. They all have similar dimensions and weight, but differ in the effect of impact on the target.

An experimental launcher at the Kapustin Yar test site. According to some assumptions, an extended-range missile is being tested. Photo by the Russian Defense Ministry
In most cases, a single-block high-explosive fragmentation warhead is used. Several variants of a cluster warhead with high-explosive and cumulative equipment are proposed for hitting area targets. Cassettes with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines have also been reported. In addition, to solve special tasks, Iskander missiles can carry a nuclear warhead with a capacity of tens of kilotons.
"Iskander" can fight against protected buildings and underground structures. For this purpose, a high-explosive warhead in a durable casing was developed. Falling at high speed, it penetrates several meters of concrete or tens of meters of soil.
Apparently, in mid-January, the enemy discovered exactly such a warhead. Our OTRK tried to hit the target with it, but for unknown reasons the warhead did not work. However, the absence of an explosion does not mean that the enemy object survived. The kinetic energy of the strike could cause serious damage to it. In addition, if reconnaissance establishes that the target is not hit, it will be attacked again.
Increased range
On January 30, the South Korean online publication Military Watch Magazine published information about a new method for increasing the combat effectiveness of the Russian OTRK. The article cites information from “numerous sources” that have recently been actively discussing the latest modernization of the Iskander.
Sources claim that Russia will soon begin serial production of a new modification of this missile system. This product does not yet have an official name, or its designation remains unknown. Until official information is disclosed, such an OTRK, according to one of the key parameters, is conventionally called "Iskander-1000".

Launch of the modernized missile. Photo by the Russian Defense Ministry
The characteristics of the complex will allegedly be improved by introducing a new missile with an increased flight range. According to preliminary estimates, this parameter may double and reach 1000 km. The increase in range is achieved by increasing the size of the propulsion system and using a new type of solid fuel.
Ways of development
It is obvious that the foreign sources of the MWM publication are unlikely to have real and up-to-date information about the current work on the modernization of the Iskander OTRK. At the same time, it is clear on what information such assessments and forecasts are based. Moreover, the South Korean publication even mentions the source of this data.
Until recently, increasing the range of Iskander ballistic missiles was discussed only at a theoretical level and without any real News from the defense industry. However, in May 2024, the situation changed. The Russian Ministry of Defense showed a video dedicated to the next anniversary of the founding of the Kapustin Yar test site. It featured a number of modern and promising developments of various classes.
Among other products, the frame captured an experimental OTRK launcher, placed not on a standard automobile chassis, but on supports on the ground. The launcher contained a missile with unusual body proportions. Then the launch of this missile was shown. No explanations were given, although the Iskander components could be recognized by the characteristic features of the launcher and missiles.

Iskander missile hits ground target. Photo by Russian Defense Ministry
Almost immediately, a version appeared that tried to explain what was seen. It is assumed that a new modification of the ballistic missile for the 9K720 OTRK was being tested at the Kapustin Yar test site. The changed proportions of the body were explained by an increase in the size of the engine. It was also suggested that the composition of the solid fuel had been changed.
It is believed that the engine replacement and the redesign of the rocket led to an increase in energy indicators. As a result, the flight range also increased. According to the most daring estimates, this parameter could have been doubled and increased to 1000 km from the original 500 km.
However, the version about a longer-range Iskander has not yet received reliable confirmation. If such a project really exists, then it will become known later. At the same time, it can be expected that information will appear in the near future. This will be facilitated by the current stage of development of the hypothetical project - it has already been tested at the testing ground and may be approaching adoption.
Rocket evolution
The 9K720 Iskander operational-tactical missile system was adopted into service almost 20 years ago, and subsequently became the main model of its class in our army. Such OTRK and their crews serve, and recently, solve real combat tasks.
Throughout its stories "Iskander" was constantly evolving. To date, several modifications of the complex and its main components have been created. In particular, much attention was paid to the development of ballistic missiles from this OTRK. The previously obtained results of these works are already well known. And in the near future, new ones can be expected, related to the current stage of modernization.
Information