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National Air Intelligence Center NAIC-1031-0985-98

MRBMs and IRBMs

New MRBM and/or IRBM systems are in development in China, North Korea, Iran, India, and probably Pakistan. These are strategic systems, and most will be armed with nonconventional warheads. Russia no longer produces or retains any MRBM or IRBM systems, since they are banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, which entered into force in 1988.

Approximate Maximum Ranges of North Korean Missiles. North Korea has ambitious MRBM and IRBM development programs. The North Koreans have developed the single-stage No Dong MRBM. Based on past North Korean activity, the No Dong, or the technology necessary to produce it, may be sold to other countries. Two new two-stage missile systems, the Taepo Dong 1 and the Taepo Dong 2, also are in development in North Korea. The maximum range of the Taepo Dong 2 may be sufficient for it to reach some targets in Alaska.


Approximate Maximum Ranges of Iranian Missiles. Iran is also working on the development of two new MRBMs. These missiles probably are being developed with the assistance of other countries. The development of long-range ballistic missiles is part of Iran's effort to become a major regional military power, and Iran could field an MRBM system in the first half of the next decade.




Agni The nuclear-Armed CSS-2 has been deployed in China for more than 25 years. The Chinese CSS-5 is a relatively new solid-propellant missile. It is carried in a canister on a towed erector-launcher.

MRBM and IRBM Characteristics
Missile Country No. of
Stages 		Propellant Deployment
Mode 		Maximum
Range
(miles) 		No. of
Launchers*
CSS-2 China 1 Liquid Transportable
(limited mobility)		 1,750 Fewer than 50
CSS-2** Saudi Arabia
(Chinese- produced)		 1 Liquid Transportable
(limited mobility)		 1,500+ Fewer than 50
CSS-5 Mod 1 China 2 Solid Road-mobile 1,100+ Fewer than 50
CSS-5 Mod 2 China 2 Solid Road-mobile 1,100+ Not yet deployed
No Dong North Korea 1 Liquid Road-mobile 600+ Undetermined
Taepo Dong 1*** North Korea 2 Liquid Undetermined 925+ Not yet deployed
Taepo Dong 2*** North Korea 2 Liquid Undetermined 2,500-3,700 Not yet deployed
Agni India 2 First stage: solid
Second stage: liquid		Technology
demonstrator 		1,250 Not operationally
deployed
Agni Follow-on***India 2 Solid Mobile 1,250+ Not yet deployed
Pakistani MRBM*** Pakistan 1 Liquid Road-mobile 700+ Not yet deployed
MRBM 1*** Iran 1 Liquid Road-mobile 700+ Not yet deployed
MRBM 2*** Iran 1 Liquid Undetermined 1,000+ Not yet deployed
*There may be several missiles available for each launcher.
** The exported CSS-2 has a conventional warhead.
***Missile has not yet been flight-tested.

Note: All ranges are approximate.


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National Air Intelligence Center NAIC-1031-0985-98