The National Interest:
First, China developed long-range “carrier-killer” ballistic missiles. Now, Russia’s Iskander ballistic missile system may have the same mission. In late July and early August, Russia conducted two simulated “electronic launches” of the 9K720 Iskander-M (NATO code name, SS-26 Stone) against ships in the Black Sea, according to Russian media.
“An ‘electronic’ launch likely means a field combat simulation where the missile unit prepares and performs all procedures for a real-world launch without firing a live missile,” explains the Russian Defense Policy blog.
But exactly which missile did Russia pretend to launch? The Iskander, developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the Scud, is a road-based mobile launch system that can fire several models of ballistic and cruise missiles. The Iskander-M is a single-stage ballistic missile, armed with a conventional or nuclear warhead, and a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles).
