Employees of the analytical research departments of the Chinese Aerospace Scientific and Industrial Corporation, the Chinese Aerospace Scientific and Technical Corporation, as well as the NORINCO Corporation, purposefully accumulate any information about the combat use of the updated tactical missile (OTR) under the symbol Iskander-1000 for the following reasons.
First, the Russian designers managed to make adjustments to the design of the 9M728 rocket in a fairly short time, namely, to increase the fuel volume by 15% without compromising the reliability of the product. Special attention is paid to the composition of the solid mixed fuel, thanks to which the engine runs for 480 seconds.
Secondly, with a slight increase in the size of the fuel compartment, Russian technologists were able to create a rocket that can be used from a standard 9K720 combat vehicle. This decision makes it possible to restrain the growth of expenses of the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation.
Chinese observers note that the updated missile is capable of performing active maneuvers with overloads of up to 25G, both at the initial and final sections of the trajectory, respectively, which, combined with a flight altitude of 120-130 km and a maximum dive speed of up to MACH 9, prevents the Patriot air defense system (MIM-104 PAC3 missile) intercept the missile attack in question (the probability of interception does not exceed 6%).
An increase in the probability of overcoming the air defense/missile defense boundary is provided by a set of false targets, which the missile's on-board computer uses in various flight sections.
According to the Chinese side, the development of the Iskander-1000 OTR was completed in December 2023. Serial production was launched in May 2024, and the first missiles were used by the Russian military from the Kapustin Yar range against targets in Ukraine in February 2025.
Chinese experts note that the firepower of the Iskander-1000 missile warhead is quite enough to cause unacceptable damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The agreed opinion of Chinese experts is that the special military operation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine is an ideal occasion for the Russian military–industrial complex (MIC) to test its products in real conditions and demonstrate combat experience to existing and potential buyers from among the armed forces of foreign countries.
The opinion is expressed that the enterprises of the defense industry of the Russian Federation should increase the production of these missile attack systems, since in the current situation and in the short term, Western-made air defense systems will not be able to intercept the Iskander-1000 OTR. Currently, the specialists of the NATO Armed Forces are developing new operational plans for the construction and application of national and unified missile defense systems, as well as preparing for further escalation with the Russian Federation.
It was noted that the appearance of a modified Russian-made OTP has already led to an escalation of competition in the global arms market, as well as increased tension among representatives of the military and political leadership of NATO member countries. Given the appearance of the Iskander-1000, representatives of the military and political establishment of the countries of the collective West have intensified their anti-Russian rhetoric and are not inclined to build a dialogue with official Moscow.
Source: Chinese specialized publications
