How Russia’s Oreshnik Missiles Threaten NATO’s Defense Tactics

Russia’s new Oreshnik missile system alters NATO’s defense strategy, posing urgent questions about regional stability.

Key Insights

Russia used its Oreshnik missile on November 21, impacting Ukraine.
The missile travels at speeds up to Mach 11, dodging defense systems.
It can target any location in Europe with nuclear or conventional warheads.
Plans to deploy the missile in Belarus could escalate regional tensions.

Threats and Capabilities

Russia’s hypersonic Oreshnik missile first struck a military facility in Dnipro, Ukraine, on November 21, signaling a new phase in military technology. Featuring speeds reaching Mach 10, possibly Mach 11, the missile surpasses the capabilities of current missile defense systems.

Adapted from the RS-26 Rubezh ICBM, Oreshnik is an experimental medium-range ballistic missile, bridging the gap between conventional artillery and nuclear force. It can carry nuclear or conventional warheads and is designed to target any European location. With a flight range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, it asserts a formidable presence.

🇷🇺VLADIMIR PUTIN:

"I would like to inform the military personnel of the Russian Federation Armed Forces, citizens of our country, our friends across the globe, and those who persist in the illusion that a strategic defeat can be inflicted upon Russia.

This concerns the events… pic.twitter.com/P3UmkR80jE

— Sony Thang (@nxt888) November 22, 2024

Strategic Implications for NATO

NATO faces new strategic challenges, as Oreshnik missiles threaten aircraft and bases across Europe. Modern fighter jets like the F-35 cannot be repaired in remote stations, making existing bases vulnerable. Decker Eveleth suggests scattering NATO aircraft over less developed areas in Europe to mitigate this threat.

According to Decker Eveleth, analyst with CNA, “Modern fighter jets—the F-35, which many NATO nations are increasingly using as their multirole aircraft of choice—are too complex to be field repaired. The F-35 and similar aircraft were designed to be operated from large, advanced air bases. Decades of budget cuts have concentrated NATO air forces in just a few of these bases, making them particularly vulnerable to Oreshnik-type missiles.”

Russia’s plans to station Oreshnik systems in Belarus by 2025 intensify NATO’s defense considerations. The missile attack marked its first use in combat, highlighting shifts in military doctrine. Putin claims Oreshnik’s force rivals nuclear strikes, elevating concerns among Western officials. The reduction in Russia’s nuclear threshold adds urgency to crafting responsive strategies.

Regional Stability Concerns

Oreshnik’s introduction complicates regional stability, with potential changes to Europe’s war dynamics. Military experts warn of Russia’s increased conventional warfare options challenging NATO tactics. Despite Putin’s claim of necessity for Russian self-defense, the missile strikes prompt questions of psychological warfare aimed at the West. Putin has boasted that the weapon is so powerful that it can destroy underground bunkers ‘three, four or more floors down.”

European defenses face challenges intercepting Oreshnik, and Russia is ramping up missile production. The need for cross-service maintenance exercises becomes apparent to maintain NATO readiness and alleviate reliance on exposed airbases. The international community watches closely as the balance of military power could shift, affecting regional and global peace.