By Tahir Qureshi | Updated: April 6, 2026 1:08 PM IST
RS-28 Sarmat is nicknamed “Satan II.” It is one of the most powerful ICBMs in the world. It has a striking range of 18,000 km and it can carry up to 15 nuclear warheads or hypersonic glide vehicles. It can bypass missile defenses through unpredictable flight paths and even orbital strikes.
China’s DF-41 is its most advanced ICBM with a strike range of up to 15,000 km. It is road-mobile; hence it cannot be detected easily. making detection difficult. It carries multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).
The Trident II D5 is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). It is used by both the U.S. Navy and the UK Royal Navy. The Trident II D5 has a stealth launch platform. It is extremely accurate. Its capability to carry multiple nuclear warheads make it a formidable weapon.
The RS-24 Yars is a modernized ICBM capable of carrying multiple warheads. It is deployed both in silos and on mobile platforms, increasing its survivability. It is equipped with penetration aids which outsmart missile defense systems.
The Minuteman III is a vital component of the US nuclear triad. It carries up to three nuclear warheads and has a range of 13,000 km. Its reliability, rapid launch ability, and integration into U.S. missile defense command make it a powerful weapon.
India’s longest-range missile, Agni-V, is capable of hitting targets between 5,000 and 8,000 km away. It is road-mobile, nuclear-capable, and marks India’s entry into the elite club of nations with credible ICBM power.
The Hwasong-17 is North Korea’s largest ICBM. It is reported to have the range to reach US mainland. Not much is known about its operational reliability, but it is believed to have the capacity to carry multiple nuclear warheads.
The Topol-M is a solid-fuel ICBM deployed in both silo and mobile versions. It has a strike range of 11,000 km. It is highly survivable and accurate and its mobile launch capability makes it much harder to track and neutralize, strengthening its role as a potent deterrent.
The RSM-56 Bulava is Russia’s most advanced submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which is carried aboard Borei-class submarines. Its strike range is up to 10,000 km, and it can carry up to six nuclear warheads. Its deployment from stealthy submarines makes it a reliable second-strike weapon.
The Pukguksong-5 is a solid-fuel submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). It gives North Korea a sea-based nuclear deterrent. With an estimated range of 3,000–5,000 km, it threatens regional stability and provides Pyongyang with a survivable strike option.