Exclusive: U.S. General warns NATO to boost long-range missile systems to counter Russian missile arsenal.

According to information published by the International Press Agency, Reuters, on July 11, 2025, U.S. Army Major General John Rafferty, former Commanding General of the 56th Artillery Command, United States Army Europe-Africa, stated in an interview at a U.S. military base in Wiesbaden, Germany, that NATO must urgently expand its long-range missile arsenal to deter an increasingly aggressive Russian Federation. Rafferty warned that Russia is accelerating the production of advanced long-range weapons, a development that could seriously undermine NATO’s ability to prevent large-scale conflict in Europe if the alliance does not respond with equal urgency and capability.
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The U.S. Army has recently fielded its new Long Range Hypersonic Weapon system, Dark Eagle, with a second battery planned for deployment in Fiscal Year 2026 as part of an accelerated strategic fires initiative. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

U.S. Army General Rafferty, who previously led U.S. Army long-range fires integration in Europe, emphasized that the Russian military has demonstrated a growing reliance on precision deep-strike systems, especially in its campaign in Ukraine. These include the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile, the 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile, and long-range air- and sea-launched systems like the Kalibr and Kh-101 cruise missiles. Their operational use has shown Moscow’s intent to hold NATO territory at risk from extended distances, targeting logistics hubs, command centers, and infrastructure deep behind the front lines. In response, Rafferty argued that NATO must drastically increase both the quantity and capability of its long-range fires.

He further highlighted the current gap in NATO’s deterrence posture, explaining that many alliance members still rely primarily on short-range systems and air-delivered munitions, which may not be viable in a high-intensity conflict where air superiority is contested. To restore balance, NATO must accelerate production of systems such as the U.S. Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), ground-launched cruise missiles, and emerging European alternatives. Equally important, Rafferty stressed, is the need for a unified alliance approach to defense industrial mobilization, where nations collaborate to streamline production, logistics, and deployment timelines.

A major development supporting this strategic pivot is the advancement of the U.S. Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), nicknamed Dark Eagle. According to Army Recognition information published on June 16, 2025, and supported by data from the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) in June 2025, the Dark Eagle program is steadily progressing toward expanded operational deployment. The hypersonic system, capable of delivering glide vehicles at speeds exceeding Mach 5, has already been fielded in the Indo-Pacific region and is seen as a cornerstone of future long-range deterrence. The U.S. Army confirmed that a second battery of the Dark Eagle system is scheduled for fielding in the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, in accordance with the Middle Tier Acquisition strategy designed to accelerate delivery of high-priority battlefield capabilities.

The Long Range Hypersonic Weapon is one of the most advanced land-based strike capabilities developed by the U.S. Army. It consists of a ground-launched, mobile platform that fires a hypersonic glide vehicle mounted on a two-stage booster. After launch, the booster propels the glide vehicle to hypersonic speed above Mach 5, after which it separates and maneuvers toward its target with high precision. The high speed and unpredictable flight path make it extremely difficult for enemy air defense systems to intercept. The LRHW is designed to engage high-value, time-sensitive targets at ranges exceeding 2,775 kilometers, giving the U.S. Army and allied forces unprecedented deep-strike capability.

Each LRHW battery includes four Transporter Erector Launchers, each carrying two hypersonic missiles in launch canisters, a mobile battery operations center, and associated support and command vehicles. The system is built for rapid deployment, operational flexibility, and survivability in contested environments. As part of the U.S. Army’s broader Strategic Fires initiative, Dark Eagle significantly enhances the capability to deliver precision effects at extended distances and serves as a deterrent against peer adversaries possessing similar capabilities.

Russia today possesses one of the most extensive and operationally active long-range missile arsenals in the world. Among its key ground-based systems is the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile, with a reported range of up to 500 kilometers. It is dual-capable and has been extensively used in Ukraine to target both military and civilian infrastructure. In addition to the Iskander, Russia has deployed the 9M729 cruise missile, also known by its NATO designation SSC-8, which was a central issue in the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The 9M729 has an estimated range of over 2,000 kilometers and is launched from mobile ground platforms, giving it strategic reach across the European continent.

From the air, Russia operates the Kh-101 and Kh-555 air-launched cruise missiles, both capable of ranges exceeding 2,500 kilometers. These missiles are typically deployed from Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers and are regularly used in strikes deep into Ukrainian territory. The Kh-101 is equipped with advanced guidance systems, low radar cross-section, and a conventional or nuclear warhead, making it a formidable strategic weapon. Russia’s Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile, an air-launched ballistic missile reportedly capable of hypersonic speeds, has also been used in recent operations. Fired from MiG-31K aircraft, the Kinzhal has an estimated range of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers and can carry high-explosive or nuclear payloads.

Russia's naval forces deploy Kalibr cruise missiles on surface ships and submarines, with operational ranges between 1,500 and 2,500 kilometers. These missiles have been launched from warships in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, targeting deep-strike objectives with significant accuracy. Moreover, Russia is advancing the deployment of its Tsirkon hypersonic missile, designed for both naval and land-attack roles. The Tsirkon is expected to reach speeds of Mach 8 and hit targets up to 1,000 kilometers away, with sea trials on the frigate Admiral Gorshkov reportedly completed.

This growing inventory of land, air, and sea-based long-range missile systems provides the Russian Armed Forces with a layered and flexible strike capability capable of bypassing or overwhelming traditional Western defenses. The ongoing modernization and expansion of these systems underscore General Rafferty’s warning that NATO must adapt quickly to maintain deterrence credibility.

This exclusive Army Recognition report underscores a critical moment for NATO’s strategic trajectory. As Russia ramps up its long-range missile arsenal, the alliance is under increasing pressure to respond with both technological innovation and industrial speed. General Rafferty’s call for NATO to build and deploy more long-range missiles is not merely a recommendation, it is a warning that future security in Europe may hinge on the alliance’s ability to strike first, fast, and far.