Russia has successfully fired Iskander-M missiles during Vostok-2014 maneuvers in the Far East. It was the first launch of its kind for the Eastern Military District.
Early on Saturday, the Iskander-M missile brigade was ordered to
move to the firing pad in the remote woodlands of the Jewish
Autonomous Region. The missile strike eliminated all training
targets.
The aim of the exercise is to check the coordination between
staff and commanders of different combat arms, as well as improve
the command and control of troops while performing advanced
tasks.
“Iskander is...one of our strongest weapons; the guarantor of
our security,” Major General Mikhail Matvievsky, chief of
Strategic Missile Forces and the Artillery of the Russian Ground
Forces, remarked following the test.
The Iskander (also referred to as NATO's reporting name SS-26
Stone) is characterized by high mobility and maneuverability, as
it takes just 20 minutes to place the system in operational
readiness.
The system is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to
400 kilometers, with a precision of around 30 centimeters. It can
hit adversary troops or underground command centers, depending on
the warheads placed on the rockets. If necessary, its missiles
can also be armed with nuclear warheads.
The advanced missile system has been used by the Russian military
since 2006.
The strategic command and staff exercise, code-named Vostok-2014,
kicked off in the Eastern Military District on Friday and will
continue until September 25.
"About 100,000 servicemen, up to 1,500 tanks, 120 aircraft,
5,000 pieces of weaponry, military and special hardware, and 70
ships will take part in the exercises," the Russian Defense
ministry said.
Tactical and cruise land, sea, and air-launched missiles will be
fired during the drill, which is taking place at more than 20
training ranges from Anadyr in the north to Vladivostock in the
south.
Russian troops will train to defend the coastal area and the
islands in Sakhalin, Kamchatka, Chukotka, and the southern part
of Primorsky Kray.