Group : Tactical Ballistic Missiles
Status : Active
Also Known As : 9K723, 9M723K1, 9M723K5, R-500, SS-28
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KBM, Roscosmos, Votkinsk Plant
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2009
First Flight : May 30, 2007
Total Production : 800

The R-500 is a high accuracy tactical ballistic missile intended to counter state-of-the-art air defense and missile defense systems developed by the United States and its allied nations. The Russian Federation conducted successfully the first test launch at the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan region of Russia on May 30, 2007. The R-500 missile test campaign is scheduled for completion in 2008 with the missile system achieving initial operational with the Russian Federation Armed Forces by 2009 equipping Iskander launch platforms.

The R-500 missile has been designed to be deployed on the Tractor-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicles utilized by the Iskander missile system. The R-500 missile follows a non-purely-ballistic path including violent maneuvers in the terminal phase of flight to defeat missile defenses. Besides its quasi-ballistic flight path, the missile is equipped with a heavy payload of decoys for enhanced survivability against existing and planned missile defenses.

Group : Tactical Ballistic Missiles
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : Iskander-M2, R-500M
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KBM, Roscosmos, Votkinsk Plant
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : July 2025
First Flight : 2023
Total Production : ?

The Iskander-1000 is a new short-range tactical ballistic missile capable of delivering a 300-350 kilograms high explosive (HE) warhead to a distance of up to 1,000 kilometers. The Iskander-1000 features 10-15 percent of increased solid propellant load achieving a top speed of 3,100 meters per second (Mach 9+) and a top altitude of 120-130 kilometers. The missile uses a combination of the inertial navigation system (INS) and satellite navigation (GLONASS) to strike a given target within a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of a few meters. The weapon engages the target by nosediving 90-degree at speeds of 1,400-1,900 meters per second while maneuvering at 25-30-g.

The Russian Army could deploy the new Iskander-1000 using existing Iskander MZKT missile system wheeled platforms in 2025 or 2026. The Iskander-1000 is expected to strike targets at distances between 200 and 1,000 kilometers within 2-to-7 minutes giving very little time to the enemy’s air defenses to counter the attack.

Group : Medium Range Ballistic Missiles
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : Iskander-M3, R-500M2
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KBM, Roscosmos, Votkinsk Plant
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : September 2025
First Flight : 2023
Total Production : ?

The Iskander-1300 is a variant of the Iskander-1000 missile featuring a lighter payload of 200-230 kilograms allowing for a maximum range of 1,300 kilometers. This variant may be intended to carry a nuclear warhead of 100-150 kilotons.