About Yars intercontinental ballistic missile:
- The Yars (also known as RS-24 or SS-29) is a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
- Features:
- It is a three-stage solid-fuel missile and can be launched from a silo or mobile launcher.
- The missile weighs around 49,000 kg and is 9 metres long.
- It has a range of 12 000 km.
- The Yars missile is equipped with Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs). This allows it to carry multiple independently targetable nuclear warheads (at least six).
- It has the capability to manoeuvre during flight and deploy both active and passive decoys, which gives Yars the advantage against modern missile defence systems.
What is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)?
- An ICBM is a guided missile that is designed to deliver nuclear warheads, although it could also deliver other payloads.
- According to the Federation of American Scientists, ICBMs have a minimum range of 5,500 kilometres (3,400 miles), with maximum ranges varying from 7,000 to 16,000 kilometres.
- ICBMs are much faster and have a greater range than other types of ballistic missiles.
- Agni-Vis an Indian ICBM with a range of over 5,000 km.
