Top 5 Fastest Missiles: The Speed Demons Of Modern Warfare

As tensions erupt between Israel and Iran, the spotlight once again turns to the deadliest weapons in modern arsenals - missiles. In high-stakes warfare, speed isn't just an advantage; it’s a decisive factor. The world’s fastest missiles combine blistering velocity with devastating payloads, capable of annihilating targets before defense systems can even react. (News18 Hindi)

From Cold War relics upgraded for 21st-century threats to cutting-edge hypersonic gliders, here's a deep dive into the five fastest missiles ever built - technological marvels designed to dominate the skies and redefine global deterrence. (News18 Hindi)

1. Avangard (Russia): At the pinnacle of missile speed stands Avangard, Russia's nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Officially unveiled in 2018, Avangard isn't a traditional missile; it rides atop an intercontinental ballistic missile (currently the SS-19 "Stiletto" or RS-28 "Sarmat") before detaching at suborbital altitudes and gliding at speeds up to Mach 20 (over 24,000 km/h). With a range exceeding 6,000 km and a maneuverable flight path that evades current missile defence systems, Avangard is capable of carrying a nuclear payload over 2 megatonnes. Its ability to shift trajectory mid-flight makes it virtually impossible to intercept - a true nightmare for air defence operators. (News18 Hindi)

2. DF-41 (China): China's most powerful strategic missile, the Dong Feng-41 (DF-41), is the world's fastest and longest-range road-mobile ICBM. Clocking in at Mach 25 and boasting a maximum range of 15,000 km, the DF-41 can strike targets across continents within minutes. This three-stage, solid-fuelled behemoth weighs 80 tonnes and can carry up to 10 independently targetable warheads (MIRVs). With a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of approximately 100 metres, it's not just fast; it's frighteningly precise. As China continues to expand its nuclear triad, the DF-41 stands as a chilling symbol of strategic reach. (News18 Hindi)

3. Trident II D5 (USA/UK): Silently lurking beneath the seas, the UGM-133 Trident II D5 missile forms the underwater backbone of US and UK nuclear deterrence. Deployed aboard Ohio and Vanguard-class submarines, this solid-fuelled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) can soar to Mach 24, delivering its deadly payload halfway across the globe. With a range of 12,000 km, the Trident II can carry up to eight nuclear warheads, each independently targetable. Its guidance system, bolstered by star-tracking and inertial navigation, allows for pinpoint accuracy with a 90-metre CEP—critical when striking hardened underground facilities or command centres. (News18 Hindi)

4. Minuteman III (USA): Still operational after more than five decades, the LGM-30G Minuteman III remains the only land-based ICBM in active service with the US military. This silo-launched, three-stage missile is a relic of the Cold War - but don’t let its age fool you. It can still tear through the sky at speeds reaching Mach 23. Deployed in hardened underground silos across the American Midwest, the Minuteman III can travel 13,000 km and deliver MIRV nuclear warheads. About 440 remain in the US arsenal today, and each one represents a core pillar of America’s nuclear triad. (News18 Hindi)

5. RS-28 Sarmat (Russia): Rounding out the top five is the formidable RS-28 Sarmat, Russia’s next-generation liquid-fuelled ICBM, dubbed "Satan II" by NATO. Designed to replace the aging SS-18, this 35-metre-long missile has a range of up to 18,000 km, making it capable of striking virtually any target on Earth. With a launch weight exceeding 208 tonnes and the ability to carry up to 10 large or 16 smaller nuclear warheads, the Sarmat is engineered for sheer devastation. It's also reportedly compatible with hypersonic glide vehicles like the Avangard, giving it an added layer of lethality. (News18)