Missiles of the Soviet Union

Missiles of the Soviet Union
Name	Missiles of the Soviet Union
Caption	The R-7 Semyorka, the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile, on the launchpad at Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Origin	Soviet Union
Type	Various missile systems
Service	1944–1991
Used by	Soviet Armed Forces, Warsaw Pact allies
Designer	OKB-1, NPO Mashinostroyeniya, MKB Raduga, others

Missiles of the Soviet Union constituted a vast and technologically advanced arsenal that was central to the Cold War military strategy of the USSR. Their development, driven by the intense rivalry with the United States during the Arms race, spanned from tactical battlefield weapons to intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of global nuclear strike. This program produced many iconic systems that defined strategic deterrence and influenced military doctrines worldwide, leaving a profound legacy on the post-Soviet states.

Development and history

Initial Soviet missile technology heavily benefited from captured German engineers and examples of the V-2 rocket following the end of World War II. Under the direction of chief designers like Sergei Korolev at OKB-1 and Mikhail Yangel at OKB-586, the program rapidly advanced. Key development centers included the Kapustin Yar test range and the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The success of the R-7 Semyorka in 1957, which also launched Sputnik 1, demonstrated Soviet prowess and triggered the Space Race. Subsequent efforts were managed by powerful entities like the Soviet Ministry of Defence and the Strategic Rocket Forces.

Strategic ballistic missiles

The cornerstone of Soviet nuclear deterrence was its diverse fleet of land-based and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Early systems like the R-16 and R-36 were deployed in silos across the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. The Cold War saw the fielding of the mobile RT-2PM Topol and the formidable, heavy R-36M2 Voevoda (SS-18 Satan). The Soviet Navy's Project 667BDRM Delfin submarines carried the R-29RM Shtil missile. These systems were a primary focus of arms control negotiations like the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks.

Tactical and cruise missiles

For battlefield and regional use, the Soviet Union developed numerous systems. The Scud missile family, including the R-17 Elbrus, gained global notoriety. Tactical ballistic missiles like the OTR-21 Tochka and the R-400 Oka were designed for use by the Soviet Ground Forces. Cruise missiles included the nuclear-capable RK-55 Relief and the turbojet-powered Kh-55, developed by the MKB Raduga design bureau for long-range, low-altitude strikes against strategic targets.

Air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles

Soviet aviation missiles were integral to the air defense and strike capabilities of the Soviet Air Forces. Early infrared-guided missiles like the K-13 evolved into advanced beyond-visual-range weapons such as the R-27 and the R-73. For air-to-surface roles, designers at MKB Raduga and NPO Mashinostroyeniya created large anti-ship missiles like the Kh-22 and precision stand-off weapons like the Kh-25. These were carried by aircraft like the MiG-29, Su-27, and Tu-22M.

Anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic missiles

Soviet air defense was renowned for its depth and complexity, coordinated by the Soviet Air Defence Forces. This included the iconic S-75 Dvina which downed the Lockheed U-2 flown by Francis Gary Powers over the Soviet Union. Later systems like the S-300 and S-200 provided long-range coverage. The A-35 anti-ballistic missile system was developed to defend Moscow against incoming ballistic missile warheads, a capability later expanded with the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system.

Anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles

To counter United States Navy carrier groups and submarines, the Soviet Navy deployed a formidable array of missiles. Heavily armed surface combatants and submarines carried long-range weapons like the P-700 Granit and the P-270 Moskit. Coastal defense batteries operated the P-15 Termit. For anti-submarine warfare, rocket-propelled depth charges like the RPK-2 Viyuga and the RPK-6 Vodopad missile-torpedo were launched from ships and aircraft like the Tupolev Tu-142.

Legacy and post-Soviet developments

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 distributed this vast missile inventory among successor states, primarily the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Russia inherited the majority of the design bureaus, such as NPO Mashinostroyeniya and MKB Raduga, and the manufacturing infrastructure. It has continued to develop and modernize Soviet-era designs, resulting in systems like the RS-24 Yars, the 3M-54 Kalibr, and the S-400. These weapons remain central to the military strategy of Russia and are major export commodities, influencing conflicts globally and continuing to shape the strategic balance with NATO.

Category:Military equipment of the Soviet Union Category:Missiles of the Soviet Union Category:Cold War weapons of the Soviet Union