[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Ballistic missile surge fuels global arms race

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-07-30 15:45 UTC → 2026-08-06 15:41 UTC · added removed

Ballistic missile buildup amid Iran and Ukraine wars surge fuels global arms race

The intensive use of Ukraine war and the Iran‑Israel conflict have made long‑range ballistic missiles in the Iran‑Israel and Russia‑Ukraine conflicts has highlighted the limitations of existing premier strike tool, revealing serious gaps in air‑defence systems, particularly the capability. Ukraine continues to struggle with a chronic shortage of PAC‑3 interceptors needed by Ukraine. This operational reality interceptors, and the United States has spurred nearly exhausted its ATACMS stockpiles, prompting a renewed global arms race, with shift toward newer Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). The high cost of these interceptors and the heavy use of rockets have spurred governments across Europe, Asia and North America expanding to expand budgets for both offensive and defensive missile capabilities. systems. The collapse of the 1988‑2019 INF Treaty and has accelerated the demonstrated effectiveness pursuit of intermediate‑range rockets have accelerated proliferation. Iran’s medium‑range missiles—including Ghadr, Emad, Sejjil intermediate‑ and Khorramshahr—have been employed extensively, with thousands of projectiles launched since February, prompting long‑range weapons. NATO to earmark has earmarked roughly $50 billion for new long‑range weapons. New development programmes have emerged, capabilities, while national programs such as South Korea’s Hyunmoo‑5, Japan’s hypersonic‑capable hypersonic missiles, a joint European long‑range strike initiative, and the U.S. nearing operational status for the Dark Eagle hypersonic system. Defense manufacturers stand to benefit from rising procurement, as system move toward operational status. Iran’s medium‑range missiles—Ghadr, Emad, Sejjil and Khorramshahr—have been launched in the renewed emphasis on ballistic missiles reshapes thousands since early 2022, with ranges that could theoretically reach Ukraine, though a direct strike is deemed unlikely. The expanding missile market is attracting significant investment in defence, aerospace and security firms, reshaping strategic thinking and force‑deployment decisions worldwide.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-06 15:41 UTC Ballistic missile surge fuels global arms race
  2. 2026-07-30 15:45 UTC Ballistic missile buildup amid Iran and Ukraine wars

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.