IntermediateRange

Intermediaterange refers to a category used primarily in military and strategic studies to describe weapons systems with ranges longer than short- or medium-range categories but shorter than intercontinental capabilities. The exact range boundaries vary by source. In many contemporary usages, short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) cover up to about 1,000 km, medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM) from about 1,000 to 3,000 km, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM) from roughly 3,000 to 5,500 km. Some treaty definitions, notably the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, used 500–5,500 km as the range band, thereby banning missiles within that interval.

The purpose of intermediaterange systems is to provide regional or theater-level reach with faster response and potent deterrence, without extending to global intercontinental ranges. They typically employ ballistic trajectories with solid or liquid propulsion, and may feature various payloads including conventional explosives or nuclear warheads, and increasingly precision guidance to improve accuracy.

In the Cold War, the term and its associated class were central to arms control discussions and strategic balance in Europe and Asia. With the INF Treaty’s dissolution and subsequent strategic developments, several states have continued or resumed development or deployment of weapons within this range band, complicating regional security calculations.

Intermediaterange is distinct from SRBM and MRBM on one side and ICBM on the other, but the boundaries are not universal and may differ among military organizations and treaties.