SRBMs

Short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) are ballistic missiles with a typically defined range of up to 1,000 kilometers, used primarily for regional or battlefield strikes. The classification is part of a broader system that divides ballistic missiles into short-range, medium-range, intermediate-range, and intercontinental. Definitions vary, but the 1,000 km cutoff is common.

SRBMs are usually powered by solid-fueled or liquid-fueled rockets and may be launched from fixed sites, road-mobile launchers, or rail platforms, giving them varying degrees of survivability. They travel on a ballistic trajectory after engine burnout, with most of the flight time outside the atmosphere. Guidance is usually inertial, with possible updates from GPS or other satellite systems, and warheads can be conventional or nuclear; some systems carry submunitions or maneuvering warheads to improve effectiveness against area targets.

Historically, SRBMs have been a core component of regional deterrence and battlefield support. The Soviet Scud family became emblematic during the Cold War and influenced many subsequent programs. Other examples include India's Prithvi, China's DF-11/DF-15 series, the United States' MGM-29 Sergeant and MGM-140 ATACMS, and contemporary systems fielded by several states, including North Korea and Iran. Modern SRBMs often emphasize accuracy, rapid launch capability, and mobility.

Arms-control and export regimes regulate SRBMs to varying degrees, reflecting concerns about rapid escalation and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction delivery systems. While some SRBMs remain configured for conventional warheads, advances in guidance and survivability continue to shape their strategic implications in regional security dynamics.