Article Posted on : - Aug 02, 2011

Iskander tactical missile systems

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia is planning to procure 120 Iskander-M tactical missile systems, Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Dmitry Bulgakov has said.

Russian news agency Ria Novosti quoting Bulgakov said, "We purchased six Iskander systems in 2010, and plan to acquire up to 120 more."

The Iskander-M system (NATO reporting name SS-26 Stone) in service with the Russian Army is a tactical surface-to-surface missile complex designed to deliver high-precision strikes at a variety of ground targets.

It is a mobile theater missile system equipped with two solid-propellant single-stage 9M723K1 guided missile with "quasi-ballistic" capability.

The missiles have a range of 400 km (250 miles) and can reportedly carry conventional and nuclear warheads.

The report citing the Moscow Centre for Strategy and Technology Analysis said, Iskander-M system was combat-tested in the brief war with Georgia in August 2008, and it proved highly effective in destroying military targets and infrastructure.