Russian missile troops will be fully reequipped with Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

According a statement published on Tuesday, January 1, 2018, by the Russian Defense Ministry, the missile troops of the Russian Ground Forces will be fully reequipped with the Iskander-M missile systems in 2019.

Russian Iskander-M mobile ballistic missile TEL Transporter Erector Launcher unit in firing position at Army-2018, defense exhibition near Moscow, August 2018.  (Picture source Army Recognition)

In 2019, the process of reequipping the missile troops of the Russian Ground Forces with the Iskander-M missile systems will be completed. In accordance with the state defense order, the manufacturer will hand a unit of the Iskander-M systems over to the Western Military District.

The 9K720 Iskander is a mobile short-range ballistic missile system produced and deployed by the Russian armed forces. The Iskander-M is an upgrade version of the Iskander missile system which has a maximum range of 500 km.

The Iskander-M system is combined of six types of vehicles. The Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) is based on the MZKT-7930 eight wheeled truck chassis. Fully loaded with two missiles, a TEL weighs 40 tons. The transporter loader also carries two missile reloads. The mission preparation station is equipped to process intelligence data, converting it to target data fed to the missile's navigation system. Command and staff vehicle, maintenance and life support vehicles complete the Iskander's unit. The TELs will remain in concealed position throughout the mission preparation, and require only a brief exposure to an open area to erect and fire one or two missiles. After launching, the vehicle immediately leaves the area seeking the safety of another concealed area.