The RT-2PM2 Topol-M, known by its NATO designation SS-27 “Sickle B”, is the first fully Russian-designed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed and deployed by the Russian Federation. Unlike its Soviet predecessors, this new-generation missile system has become a cornerstone of Russia’s strategic deterrence due to its long range, mobility, and advanced countermeasure capabilities.
Technical Profile and Specifications
- Range: 11,000 km
- Length: 21.9 m
- Diameter: 1.9 m
- Launch Weight: Approximately 47,000 kg
- Warhead: Single nuclear warhead with a yield of 500–550 kT (some sources claim up to 1 MT)
- Propulsion: Three-stage, solid-fueled rocket
- Deployment: Capable of launching from both fixed silo systems and road-mobile TEL (Transporter-Erector-Launcher) vehicles
- Service Entry: 1997 (silo-based), 2006 (mobile version)
- Status: Operational
Development and Modernization Timeline
The Topol-M project began in the late 1980s as an evolution of the Soviet-era SS-25 missile. However, following the dissolution of the USSR, it was redesigned in the early 1990s as the Russian Federation’s first indigenous ICBM. The missile underwent its first test launch in December 1994, with road-mobile trials conducted six years later.
In 1997, the first missiles were deployed in modified SS-19 silos. Between 1998 and 2003, four silo-based regiments were activated. The road-mobile version entered service in 2006.
Originally, 350 units were planned for production, but this number was later scaled back. In 2009, Topol-M production officially ended, giving way to the more advanced RS-24 Yars system. Nonetheless, 60 silo-based and 18 mobile Topol-M systems remain in active service.
Countermeasures and Defense Penetration
The Topol-M stands out not only for its range but also for its ability to overcome missile defenses. It carries a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV), which can adjust its trajectory during the final phase of flight. The missile is also equipped with decoys, electronic jamming systems, and shielding against electromagnetic interference and nuclear radiation.
Using a Post-Boost Vehicle (PBV) structure with a GLONASS-supported digital inertial navigation system (INS), Topol-M can deliver its warhead(s) with high precision, even in contested environments.
Operational Status and Future Outlook
Under the New START treaty signed with the United States, Russia declared 15 road-mobile and 50 silo-based Topol-M ICBMs. By 2016, the total number in active service reached 78 systems.
While Russia is transitioning to newer MIRV-capable systems like the RS-24 Yars, the Topol-M remains a backbone of its strategic deterrence with its single-warhead, high-accuracy, and survivable design.
A Modern Answer to Modern Threats
Topol-M holds a critical role in Russia’s land-based nuclear triad. Its long-range strike capability, resistance to interception, and mobility for rapid deployment make it a key element in maintaining strategic balance. Despite the end of its production, Topol-M continues to serve as one of the most reliable assets in Russia’s defense doctrine throughout the first half of the 21st century.
