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The KS‑172, also known as K‑100, Izdeliye‑172, AAM‑L, and R‑172, is a Russian very‑long‑range air‑to‑air missile designed to target Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft, aerial refueling tankers, and command‑and‑control planes. According to various sources, its claimed range extends up to 400 kilometers. The design and development of the KS‑172 has been a lengthy and complex project, and recent reports in 2025 suggest that the missile has entered service with the Russian Air Force. In this article, we will take a closer look at KS-172 missile.

The R-77 air-to-air missile is regarded as one of the most important medium-range weapons of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Featuring a distinctive lattice-fin design, it offers high agility and maneuverability, and in advanced variants such as the R-77M, its range has been extended to 193 kilometers. Equipped with a multifunction active radar, data link, proximity fuse, and fragmentation warhead, the R-77 is considered a true “fire-and-forget” weapon capable of independent target engagement, and today forms part of the armament of Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter.

The R-37M missile is a Russian long-range, solid-fuel, supersonic air-to-air missile, regarded as one of the longest-range operational air-to-air weapons in the world. With active radar guidance and a range exceeding 300 km, it is an ideal option for targeting aerial refueling tankers, AWACS aircraft, and other standoff airborne platforms.

The R-73 missile is a short-range, infrared-guided air-to-air missile designed by Vympel NPO. Entering service in 1984, it is known in NATO designation as the AA-11 Archer.

The Barak MX air defense system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, is a modular, network-centric platform built on an open architecture. Available in both land-based and Sea-based variants, it supports a wide range of radars and interceptor missiles, enabling engagement against diverse aerial, cruise, and ballistic threats. Given its export to foreign clients—particularly to conflict-prone regions such as the South Caucasus, the southern Persian Gulf, and the Eastern Mediterranean—Barak MX is regarded not only as an advanced weapon system but also as a geopolitical lever for Israel.

The Tomahawk is a subsonic, long-range, precision-guided cruise missile launched from submarines and surface platforms. Designed for deep land strikes and targeting high-value assets, it has become a cornerstone of U.S. military strike operations over the past half-century. Its ability to fly at low altitude, employ advanced combined guidance systems, and—on modern variants—retarget mid-flight, makes it a highly versatile and reliable weapon.

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine multirole fighter and one of Russia’s most successful fourth-generation aircraft. With its high maneuverability, extended operational range, and capability to perform a wide array of aerial missions, it has become the backbone of the air forces of several nations. Derived from the design of the Su-27, the Su-30 has been developed in multiple variants and serves as a complementary platform to more advanced fighters like the Su-35. Its ability to conduct air-to-air and air-to-surface operations, reconnaissance, and aerial support has made it a popular choice in the global defense market.

The HQ-9 (Hóng Qí-9) missile system serves as a central pillar of China’s land-based air defense capabilities. Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) since the 1990s, it offers strategic performance on par with the American MIM-104 Patriot and Russia’s S-300/S-400 systems.

The Orbiter-5 drone, developed by Israel’s defense company Aeronautics, is a tactical unmanned aerial system designed for multi-purpose missions in complex combat environments. Equipped with satellite communication, it offers advanced capabilities beyond those of typical lightweight tactical drones and has played a significant role in military and security operations.

In May 2025, Iran’s Ministry of Defense unveiled the Qassem Basir, a solid-fuel ballistic missile with a range of 1,200 kilometers. Like other missiles bearing the “Basir” suffix (such as Nasr Basir and Zulfaqar Basir), this new system features an optical seeker, allowing it to independently guide itself during the terminal phase without relying on external navigation systems like GPS. This capability significantly enhances its precision, making it a true pinpoint strike weapon.

The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Capable of operating in all weather conditions, day or night, it collects comprehensive data across vast geographic areas. Its primary role is to support combat forces in a wide range of operations, including emergency situations, wartime missions, and even disaster relief efforts. Join us in this article to explore the RQ-4 Global Hawk and its successor in greater detail.

The IAI Eitan drone—known in Hebrew as “Steadfast” within the Israeli Air Force and marketed internationally as the Heron TP—represents a shift from traditional tactical border surveillance toward projecting power deep into distant territories. This evolution marks a transition from the successful Heron-1 system, a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV, to the Eitan platform, which belongs to the high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) class. The deployment of such a drone by the Israeli Air Force reflects a longstanding strategic ambition by the Israeli regime to develop capabilities for conducting long-range, high-impact missions.