Ukraine's Defense Express newspaper reported on 22/1 that the Russian military has deployed 24 9P701 transporter-erector-launchers for the Iskander-M1 system. Each vehicle can carry up to 4 cruise missiles, doubling the combat load of the original Iskander system.

"This allows Russia to launch a maximum of 96 9M729 missiles with a range of 1,500 km in a single engagement. They can reach any target in Ukrainian territory if fired from typical Iskander positions. This poses a major threat," the newspaper stated.

Russian service members load Iskander-K cruise missiles onto a launcher during an exercise in Kaliningrad in 10/2023. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense

The Novator 9M729 cruise missile appears to have been deployed for the first time to attack Ukrainian targets in 2022. However, Russia suspended its use after several incidents damaged launchers and moved the development program to the next phase.

Ukrainian media indicates no signs yet that Russia will use a large number of 9M729 missiles in upcoming attacks.

"The 9M729 is quite rare; statistics up to 10/2025 show Russia used this munition in only 23 attacks. Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) estimated in 11/2025 that the adversary had a total of approximately 50 9M729 missiles. Sources indicate the Russian Ministry of Defense ordered an additional 95 munitions last year," Defense Express reported.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on this information.

The 9P701 transporter-erector-launcher is not new equipment; the Russian Ministry of Defense received the first units in 2021. According to plans, Russia expects to commission a total of 60 9P701 launchers, enough for each Iskander brigade to be supplemented with an Iskander-M1 battalion.

A launch tube containing a 9M729 missile displayed by Russia in Moskva in 1/2019. Photo: Reuters

The 9M729 is a product of the Novator Design Bureau, headquartered in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates the 9M729 has a maximum range of 2,500 km and can carry nuclear or conventional warheads.

In 2017, the then commander of the United States Strategic Command, General John Hyten, acknowledged that the 9M729 missile could defeat the defensive shields of the United States and its European allies, especially when launched in large numbers.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Defense Express)