How Russia's Iskander, Which Outsmarted US Patriot In Ukraine, Compares To BrahMos
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India's BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly with Russia, while the Iskander is a tactical ballistic missile with different design and operational roles
In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia's recent use of Iskander missiles has drawn international attention after they reportedly bypassed the US-made Patriot defence system and struck their targets with precision. Reports indicate that the missile strikes came in retaliation to a Ukrainian drone attack and have raised fresh concerns in the United States over the evolving capabilities of Russian weaponry.
According to defence experts, the Patriot defence system is comparable to the Russian-made S-400, which is currently in use by India. In the latest strike, Russia claims to have destroyed Ukrainian drone launchers.
The Russian Iskander missile, officially known as the 9K720 Iskander, is a highly advanced tactical ballistic missile system designed for short-to medium-range precision strikes. With a speed of 6 to 7 Mach and an accuracy of 5 to 7 meters, it falls under the hypersonic class of missiles. The Iskander has a range of 500 to 1,000 kilometers and was inducted into the Russian military in 2006.
The Iskander system uses ground-to-ground missiles capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. Its most advanced variant, the Iskander-M, is specifically designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. With a range of 50 to 500 kilometers, it can effectively target military bases, command centers and air defense systems. Its key strengths lie in its mobility, precision and radar-evading capabilities. Deployed on a mobile launcher, the system is easy to relocate and can be rapidly deployed across different terrains.
The Iskander missile system is renowned for its speed, precision, and radar-evading capabilities. The system follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, allowing the missile to perform unpredictable maneuvers mid-flight, which makes interception extremely difficult. The advanced Iskander-M variant further enhances its survivability by deploying radar decoys that confuse enemy air defense systems.
Did The Iskander Break Through US Patriot Defence System?
During the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Russia claimed that its Iskander-M missile effectively challenged the US-made Patriot air defence system (MIM-104 Patriot). In May 2025, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuri Ihnat acknowledged that the Iskander-M possesses several advanced features—such as radar decoys and a quasi-ballistic trajectory—that make it a difficult target for the Patriot system. The decoys are designed to mislead radar tracking, while the missile's unpredictable flight path complicates the software-based interception calculations of the Patriot.
Comparison With BrahMos
India's BrahMos missile system is a supersonic cruise missile developed through a joint venture between India and Russia, whereas the Iskander is a tactical ballistic missile. While both are advanced and powerful in their respective categories, they differ significantly in design, function, and purpose. They can be compared on the following key parameters:
Speed And Trajectory: BrahMos flies at a speed of 2.8 to 3.0 Mach, classifying it as a supersonic missile, while the Iskander reaches hypersonic speeds of 6 to 7 Mach. BrahMos follows a low-altitude, sea-skimming or straight flight path. In contrast, the Iskander follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory.
Range: BrahMos has a range of 290 to 800 km, with extended-range variants like the BrahMos-ER offering greater reach. The Iskander has a more limited range of up to 500 km, but its hypersonic speed enables it to strike targets with exceptional speed.
Target And Use: BrahMos is primarily designed for precision strikes against ships and land-based targets. It is a versatile missile that can be launched from land, sea, air and submarines. The Iskander, on the other hand, is a tactical ballistic missile intended mainly for destroying high-value military targets and air defense systems.
Radar Evasion: BrahMos features a low radar cross-section (RCS) and incorporates stealth technology to help it evade enemy radar detection. In contrast, the Iskander relies on radar decoys and unpredictable flight maneuvers.
Use In War: BrahMos was recently deployed in the military conflict between India and Pakistan, demonstrating its effectiveness by penetrating Pakistan's HQ-9B air defense system. The Iskander has also challenged the US-made Patriot system in Ukraine, though complete details about its impact remain unclear.
Overall, the Iskander missile system symbolises Russia's strategic strength, renowned for its hypersonic speed, precision, and radar-evasion capabilities. While it has exposed limitations in the Patriot system during the Ukraine conflict, claims of completely defeating it remain controversial. In contrast, the BrahMos stands as a prime example of India's supersonic cruise missile technology, celebrated for its versatility and accuracy.
First Published:
June 02, 2025, 12:34 IST
News india How Russia's Iskander, Which Outsmarted US Patriot In Ukraine, Compares To BrahMos | Explained
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