Iskander-M: The Tactical Ballistic Missile Changing Modern Warfare

While ICBMs like the Sarmat threaten the end of the world, the 9K720 Iskander-M (NATO: SS-26 Stone) is the missile that actually fights wars.

In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Iskander-M has been Russia’s “sniper rifle.” It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) designed to take out high-value targets like command centers, air defenses, and airfields with pinpoint precision.

But the Iskander is not just a standard missile. It flies a “quasi-ballistic” trajectory, performs evasive maneuvers, and releases decoys, making it a nightmare for air defense operators. This article analyzes the Iskander-M capabilities, its operational usage, and why it is considered one of the most dangerous tactical weapons in existence.

The Successor to the Scud

The Soviet Union was famous for its Scud missiles. They were plentiful broadswords—inaccurate but scary. The Iskander is the scalpel replacement. Developed to skirt the restrictions of the (now defunct) INF Treaty, it was designed to stay just under the 500km range limit while delivering maximum lethality.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification	Details
Official Name	9M723 (Iskander-M)	The export version is Iskander-E (downgraded)
Range	400 – 500 km	Controversy exists that it can fly further
Speed	Mach 6 – 7	Hypersonic terminal phase
Payload	480 – 700 kg	Conventional or Tactical Nuclear
Accuracy (CEP)	5 – 7 meters	Circular Error Probable
Guidance	Inertial + GLONASS + Optical	Scene-matching terminal guidance
Launch Platform	8×8 Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL)	Carries 2 missiles per truck

The “Quasi-Ballistic” Trajectory

What makes the Iskander special is how it flies.

1. Low Apogee: A typical ballistic missile goes high into space. The Iskander stays lower (under 50km), flying in the upper atmosphere.

2. Maneuvering: It does not fly a parabola. It uses control surfaces to maneuver violently throughout its flight. This makes it hard for radar to predict its impact point.

3. Terminal Dive: In the final phase, it dives at the target at hypersonic speeds (Mach 6+), often performing high-G helix maneuvers to dodge interceptors like the Patriot.

Penetration Aids (The “Dart” Decoys)

One of the surprises of the Ukraine war was the discovery that Iskander-M missiles carry Penetration Aids (PENAIDS). These are dart-shaped objects released by the missile. They contain jammers to fool radar and heat sources to distract infrared seekers. This level of sophistication was previously thought to be reserved only for high-end ICBMs.

Warheads: A Swiss Army Knife

The Iskander can deliver various types of warheads:

High Explosive-Fragmentation: For destroying buildings and command bunkers.

Submunitions (Cluster): Disperses bomblets to destroy airfields, radars, or tank columns.

Bunker Buster: A penetrating warhead for underground targets.

Tactical Nuclear: It is a “dual-capable” system. It can carry a nuclear warhead with a yield of 5-50 kilotons. This ambiguity terrifies NATO planners—when an Iskander launches, you don’t know if it’s conventional or nuclear until it hits.

Operational History: The Ukraine Proving Ground

The Iskander-M has been used extensively in Ukraine since February 2022.

Opening Salvos: It was used to strike Ukrainian air defense sites and airfields in the first hours of the invasion.

Terror Tactics: Tragically, it has also been used against civilian infrastructure.

Intercepts: While dangerous, it is not unstoppable. Ukrainian forces using Patriot PAC-3 systems have successfully intercepted Iskander missiles. However, older Soviet systems like the S-300 struggle immensely to track and hit the maneuvering Iskander.

The Kaliningrad Factor

Russia has deployed Iskanders to the Kaliningrad Exclave, a slice of Russian territory sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania.

The Reach: From Kaliningrad, Iskander missiles can strike Warsaw, Berlin, and Copenhagen.

A2/AD: Combined with S-400s, this creates an “Anti-Access/Area Denial” bubble effectively blocking NATO reinforcement of the Baltic states.

Conclusion

The Iskander-M is the modern standard for tactical ballistic missiles. It bridges the gap between artillery and strategic weapons. Its combination of mobility, accuracy, and defense-penetration technology forces enemy commanders to constantly move their headquarters and disperse their forces.

While Western systems like the US PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) are catching up, the Iskander remains a proven, lethal threat that defines the artillery-heavy doctrine of the Russian Armed Forces.

Disclaimer: Operational details are based on conflict analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and technical intelligence reports.