Iskander has achieved accuracy, range and reliability (ability to penetrate defenses) that constitutes an alternative approach to precision bombing for air forces that cannot expect to launch bombing or cruise missile fire missions reliably in face of superior enemy fighters and air defenses.

July 18, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) -Russian armed forces have begun deployment of its highly accurate short-range tactical missiles dubbed Iskander, along its northwestern military district of Leningrad, China’s Xinhua news agency reported today.

Russian ground forces commander Col. Gen. Alexander Postnikov speaking on Moscow’s Echo radio station said, ‘A first and quite efficient Iskander missile system has been put into service in the Leningrad Military District.’

Last month US and Poland completed their joint deployment of less advanced US manufactured Patriot system inside Poland very close to the Russian border in Kaliningrad enclave. The radar-evading Iskander missile is considered the best of its kind in the world today.

This manual as well as computer programmable missile has a range of up to 400 km that is capable of hitting stationary and moving targets with high accuracy. According to General Postinkov, deployment of Iskander in Leningrad area would have nothing to do with US patriot missile systems in Poland, but a usual upgrading of the country’s armed forces long overdue.