Top 10 long-range missiles redefining strategic deterrence

As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate across multiple regions, including the high-stakes April 2025 India-Pakistan standoff and the persistent volatility in the Middle East (Israel, Iran and Gaza), nations are doubling down on their strategic deterrence capabilities.

The year 2025 has brought to the forefront an updated ranking of the 10 most powerful long-range missiles in the world, highlighting a chilling yet critical aspect of global military power projection.

Topping the list is Russia’s RS-28 Sarmat, more commonly known as Satan II, with an unprecedented range of 18,000 km. This next-generation Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), giving it both range and firepower to bypass most missile defence systems.

The Satan missile, its predecessor, still retains a formidable second position with a range of 16,000 km, a testament to Russia’s long-standing dominance in strategic nuclear delivery systems.

North Korea’s Hwasong-17, tested in 2022 and further refined by 2024, claims a range of 15,000 km, putting much of the globe within striking distance—a deeply alarming development for Western and Asian security analysts alike.

China’s dual entries—the DF-41 and JL-3—demonstrate the country’s technological maturity in both land-based and sea-launched ICBMs. Each of these missiles boasts a range of 12,000–15,000 km, expanding China’s second-strike capability significantly.

The United States continues to showcase its strategic triad with two key entries: Minuteman III (13,000 km) and the Trident II, a submarine-launched ballistic missile co-developed with the UK (12,000 km).

These systems ensure that the U.S. retains its credible deterrent across both land and sea platforms.

India’s Agni-V, with an 8,000 km range, secures its place among the global top 10. The missile gained renewed attention following the April 2025 India-Pakistan standoff, where the South Asian giant placed its Strategic Forces Command on high alert.

France’s M51 missile (10,000 km) and Israel’s Jericho III (6,500 km) reaffirm the presence of strategic deterrents outside the traditional P5 nations. While France’s SLBM forms the core of its sea-based nuclear arsenal, Israel’s missile remains shrouded in strategic ambiguity.