MOSCOW - Russia tested its Iskander-M ballistic missile on September 18, 2017, apparently demonstrating its maximum range.
"Today, a successful launch of the modernized missile system of the Ground Forces, Iskander-M, was carried out," the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
The missile reportedly flew 480 kilometers, from the Kapustin Yar firing range in Astrakhan to the Makat firing range, in Kazakhstan.
The Ministry of Defense said the test was successful and the missile hit its target.
There has been some concern that the Iskander-M violates the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, an agreement between the U.S. and Russia that prohibits the deployment of ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The missile demonstration on September 18 indicates that the Iskander-M may be in compliance with the INF treaty.
The manufacturer of the system, Kolomna Engineering Design Bureau, intends to modernize the Iskander-M further moving forward, according to general designer Valery Kashin, who spoke to media last week.
He said, "We are going ahead with further research and development to create new missiles for the Iskander system. It keeps developing. Several types of missiles have been created. They look alike, but internally they are fundamentally different from each other. Now we have seven types of missiles, or possibly more."
He indicated that the upgraded versions will still be in compliance with the INF treaty, but did not otherwise specify what the improvements will target.
Russia's Iskander-M missile test comes amid its Zapad-2017 military exercises with Belarus, taking place mostly in eastern Europe.
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