In a world ripe with international conflict, powerful countries continuously compete for the best defense resources, including missiles. These missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which adversaries like North Korea have in their possession. Just last year, North Korea claimed it tested an advanced solid-fueled ballistic missile. Additionally, the current war between Ukraine and Russia is teeming with missiles.

The Russian government has been using the LMUR missile against Ukraine. With a range of 15 kilometers, this missile is meant for precision strikes on highly protected targets. However, such a limited range does not compare to that of intercontinental ballistic missiles. These far-traveling weapons are capable of carrying extremely dangerous nuclear warheads. Many countries possess these particular weapons, which can travel at least 3,500 miles (over 5,600 kilometers) with nuclear warheads in tow.

By reviewing information from the Arms Control Association, an organization dedicated to arms control, 24/7 Wall St. determined how far the world’s most powerful missiles can traverse. They incorporated only those with ranges of at least 5,600 km. Data was also sourced from the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Federation of American Scientists.

The nations which have fully operational ICBMs include the United States, China, The U.K., Russia, and France. Though North Korea has made no secret of their nuclear weapons, they are still working on their missile programs to develop their own ICBMs. Since Russia is at war, the world feels dangerously close to the use of nuclear power. Putin has been quoted as saying Russia would utilize “instruments … nobody else can boast of, and we will use them if we have to.”

Why We Are Covering This Topic

It is vital for the U.S. military to know how their defense strategies compare to those of other countries, particularly when it comes to adversaries. As tensions rise between Russia and U.S.-backed Ukraine, and conflict mounts in the middle east, practical Americans are increasingly concerned with the United States’ ability to protect itself. Missiles are an essential part of defense planning, for America and globally.

These are the most powerful missiles that can travel long distances:

18. M51.1

17. RSM-50 Volna

The RSM-50 Volna is operated out of Russia. It is a MIRV warhead with a range of 4,039-4,971 miles. It has a payload of four warheads and is submarine based. The RSM-50 Volna is 40.3 tons and 48.6 feet long.

16. Julang (JL) 2

The Julang (JL) 2 is operated out of China. It is a single warhead (200-300 kT each) with a range of 4,350+ miles and is submarine based.

15. D-5 Trident II

The D-5 Trident II is operated out of the U.S. and the U.K. It is a W76 100 kT or W88 475 kT warhead with a range of 4,598-7,456 miles. It has a payload of up to 8 MIRV Mk 4 or Mk 5 warheads and is submarine based. The D-5 Trident II is 65.1 tons, 44.0 feet long.

14. SS-N-8

The SS-N-8 is operated out of Russia. It is a single 0.6-1.5 MT warhead with a range of 4,971 miles and is submarine based. The SS-N-8 is 33.3 tons, 42.7 feet long.

13. RSM-56 Bulava

The RSM-56 Bulava is operated out of Russia. It is a nuclear warhead (100-150 kT each) with a range of 5,157 miles. It has a payload of up to 10 MIRVs (1,150 kg) and is submarine based. The RSM-56 Bulava is 40.6 tons and 39.7 feet long.

12. RSM-54 Sineva

11. Minuteman III

The Minuteman III is operated out of the U.S. It is either a W78 (335kT) or W87 (300kT) nuclear warhead with a range of between 5,996-8,078 miles. It has a payload of up to 3 Mk 12A and is silo based. The Minuteman III is 38.0 tons and 59.7 feet long.

10. RS-18

The RS-18 is operated out of Russia. It is a six MIRV (3,355 kg) warhead with a range of 6,214 miles. It has a nuclear payload of between 500-600 kT and is silo based. The RS-18 is 116.4 tons and 79.7 feet long.

9. SS-24

The SS-24 is operated out of Russia. It is an MIRV (550 kT) warhead with a range of 6,214 miles. It has a payload of 10 MIRV and is silo based or railcar based. The SS-24 is 104.5 tons and 76.8 feet long.

8. RS-20V

The RS-20V is operated out of Russia. It is a nuclear 500-750 kT warhead with a range between 6,338-9,942 miles. It has a payload of a single warhead and is silo based. The RS-2oV is 210.5 tons and 112.5 feet long.

7. RS-24 Yars

The RS-24 Yars is operated out of Russia. It is a nuclear 150-200 kT warhead with a range of 6,524 miles. It has a payload of three MIRV warheads and is silo based or road mobile. The RS-24 Yars is 54.7 tons and 73.8 feet long.

6. RS-12M Topol

The RS-12M Topol is operated out of Russia. It is a nuclear 550-800 kT warhead with a range of between 6,524-6,835 miles. It has a payload of a single warhead and is road mobile. The RS-12M Topol is 12.1 tons and 67.3 feet long.

5. RS-12M1 Topol-M

The RS-12M1 Topol-M is operated out of Russia. It is a nuclear 500 kT warhead with a range of 6,835 miles. It has a payload of a single warhead and is road mobile or silo based. The RS-12M1 Topol-M is 51.8 tons and 71.9 feet long.

4. DF-31A

The DF-31A is operated out of China. It has a warhead (200-300 kT each) with a range of 6,835+ miles. It has a payload of a single warhead and is silo based.

3. DF-5

The DF-5 is operated out of China. It is a warhead (200-300 kT each) with a range of 7,456 miles. It has a double warhead payload and is silo based.

2. DF-5B

The DF-5B is operated out of China. It is a warhead (200-300 kT each) with a range of 7,456 miles. It has a payload of three warheads and is silo based.

1. DF-41

The DF-41 is operated out of China. It is a warhead (200-300 kT each) with a range of between 7,456-9,321 miles. It has a payload of three warheads and is silo based.

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