Iskander-K Missile

The Iskander-K missile, a Russian-made mobile cruise missile system, was recently used in a strike on Ukraine's Cabinet building, highlighting its capabilities in modern warfare.

About Iskander-K

• Designation: Iskander-K (also referred to as SSC-8)

• Type: Mobile short-range cruise missile launcher

• Base: Built on an 8x8 military truck chassis, allowing for high mobility on roads

• Service Entry: February 2017 with the Russian Armed Forces

• Function: Designed for tactical-operational strikes, typically at land-based targets

Design Features of the Iskander-K

• Mobility:
  The launcher vehicle is mobile, mounted on an 8x8 truck, offering high strategic mobility. It can travel at speeds of up to 70 km/h and has a maximum cruising range of 1,000 km.

• Missile Launching Capacity:
  It can be fitted with two to six container launchers, giving it flexibility in launching multiple missiles.

Missiles Used by Iskander-K

The Iskander-K can launch two types of cruise missiles:

1. 9M728 (R-500/SSC-X-7):

   • Range: Up to 500 km

   • Purpose: Primarily used for medium-range tactical strikes.

   • Characteristics: Capable of delivering high-precision strikes at land-based targets.

2. 9M729 (SSC-X-8):

   • Range: Designed to operate at greater distances.

   • Low-altitude Flight: Flies at low altitudes to avoid detection by radar and make interception more difficult, complicating countermeasures.

   • Target: Specifically designed for land-target destruction.

Strategic Importance and Usage

• Role in Warfare:
  The Iskander-K is primarily used for tactical strikes, offering a precise and mobile strike option for military forces. Its long-range missiles are capable of targeting strategic facilities, military installations, and key infrastructure.

• Recent Use in Ukraine:
  Its use against Ukraine’s Cabinet building signifies the missile's potential in precision-targeted attacks in modern conflicts, especially in urban warfare or asymmetrical warfare scenarios.