An intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) is a ballistic missile with a range between , categorized between a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) and an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Classifying ballistic missiles by range is done mostly for convenience. In principle there is little difference between a high-performance IRBM and a low-performance ICBM, because decreasing payload mass can increase the range over the ICBM threshold. The range definition used here is used within the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

History The progenitor for the IRBM was the A4b rocket, winged for increased range and based on the famous V-2, Vergeltung, or "Reprisal", officially called A4, rocket designed by Wernher von Braun. The V-2 was widely used by Nazi Germany at the end of World War II to bomb English and Belgian cities. The A4b was the prototype for the upper stage of the A9/A10 rocket. The goal of the program was to build a missile capable of hitting New York, when launched from France or Spain (see Amerika Bomber).

A4b rockets were tested a few times in December 1944 and January and February 1945. All of these rockets used liquid propellant. The A4b used an inertial guidance system, while the A9 would have been controlled by a pilot. They started from a non-mobile launch pad.

Following World War II, von Braun and other lead Nazi scientists were secretly transferred to the United States, to work directly for the U.S. Army through Operation Paperclip, developing the V-2 into the weapon for the United States.

As of 2026, IRBMs are operated by the People's Republic of China, India, Israel, North Korea, and Russia. The United States, USSR, Pakistan, United Kingdom, and France are former operators.

Nomenclature There is no clearly agreed-upon distinction between an intermediate-range and a medium range (MRBM) missile, and the categories overlap. Different sources classify missiles in different ways. They are both distinct from ICBMs, in that they have a range that is less than intercontinental, and hence must be based relatively close to the target. An IRBM, in general, is intended as a strategic weapon, while a MRBM, in general, is intended as a theatre ballistic missile.

Specific IRBMs

+ IRBMs Date *D Model Range km Maximum km Country 1959 PGM-17 Thor 2,400 3,000 , 2023 Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon 2,775 3,500 Cancelled Blue Streak 3,700 1962 R-14 Chusovaya (SS-5) 3,700 1970 DF-3A 4,000 5,000 , 1976 RSD-10 Pioneer (SS-20) 5,500 1980 S3 (missile) 3,500 2004 DF-25 3,200 4,000 2006 Agni-III 3,500 5,000 2007 DF-26 3,500 5,000 2007 Shahab-5 4,000 4,300 (not proven) 2012Sejjil 2,000 4,000 (three-stage variant) 2010 Hwasong-10 (Musudan/BM-25) 2,500 4,000 (not proven) 2010 K-4 3,500 2011 Agni-IV 4,000 2017 Hwasong-12 (KN-17) 3,700 6,000 2023 Hyunmoo-5 3,000 5,500 2024 Hwasong-16B 1,100 (ROK telemetry) 1,500 (DPRK claimed) 5,500 2024 Oreshnik unknown unknown 2011 RS-26 Rubezh unknown 5,800 1959 R-12 Dvina 2000 2500

See also List of ICBMs Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

References