Top 10 Fastest Missiles in the World (2025 Updated List)

Missiles are the backbone of modern defense systems. Over the years, technological advancements have made missiles faster, deadlier, and more precise. The speed of a missile is usually measured in Mach (the speed of sound), and the fastest ones can travel multiple times the speed of sound, making them nearly impossible to intercept.

In this article, we will explore the Top 10 Fastest Missiles in the World (2025), their speeds, specifications, and unique features.

1. BrahMos-II (Mach 8) – India & Russia

The BrahMos-II is a hypersonic cruise missile currently under development by India and Russia. Designed as the successor to the original BrahMos, it is expected to reach Mach 8 (9,800 km/h).

Type: Hypersonic cruise missile
Range: 600–1000 km
Speed: Mach 8
Launch Platforms: Land, sea, air, submarine

This missile will be one of the fastest operational weapons in the world, capable of striking with extreme precision while being nearly unstoppable.

2. Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (Mach 20+) – Russia

The Avangard is a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle developed by Russia. It can travel at Mach 20–27 (25,000–33,000 km/h), making it one of the most advanced and fastest missiles in the world.

Type: Hypersonic glide vehicle
Range: 6,000 km+
Speed: Mach 20–27
Warhead: Nuclear

Its maneuverability at hypersonic speeds makes it almost impossible to track or intercept, giving Russia a strategic edge.

3. Kinzhal (Kh-47M2) – Russia (Mach 10)

The Kinzhal missile, also known as Kh-47M2, is an air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile. It was introduced by Russia in 2017 and has been actively tested in military operations.

Type: Air-launched ballistic missile
Range: 1,500–2,000 km
Speed: Mach 10
Launch Platforms: MiG-31K, Tu-22M3

Its speed and range make it highly effective against heavily defended targets.

4. Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) – China (Mach 10)

China’s DF-17 is a medium-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle. It is capable of traveling at Mach 10 (12,350 km/h) and is considered a game-changer in missile warfare.

Type: Hypersonic ballistic missile
Range: 1,800–2,500 km
Speed: Mach 10
Warhead: Nuclear or conventional

The DF-17 is designed to evade missile defense systems with its unpredictable flight path.

5. Shaurya Missile – India (Mach 7.5)

The Shaurya missile is a surface-to-surface hypersonic missile developed by India’s DRDO. It can reach Mach 7.5 (9,200 km/h) and is designed for both conventional and nuclear warheads.

Type: Hypersonic surface-to-surface missile
Range: 750–1,900 km
Speed: Mach 7.5
Launch Platform: Land-based mobile launcher

It provides India with a strong second-strike capability in case of nuclear conflict.

6. 3M22 Zircon (Tsirkon) – Russia (Mach 9)

The 3M22 Zircon, also known as Tsirkon, is a ship-launched hypersonic cruise missile developed by Russia. It is considered one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world.

Type: Hypersonic cruise missile
Range: 1,000 km
Speed: Mach 8–9
Launch Platforms: Ships and submarines

It is designed to strike both land and naval targets with deadly accuracy.

7. X-51 Waverider – USA (Mach 5.1)

The X-51A Waverider is an experimental hypersonic missile developed by the United States. It achieved speeds of Mach 5.1 (6,200 km/h) in test flights.

Type: Hypersonic cruise missile (experimental)
Range: 740 km
Speed: Mach 5.1
Launch Platform: Air-launched (B-52 bomber)

Though experimental, it paved the way for future U.S. hypersonic weapons.

8. DF-41 ICBM – China (Mach 25)

The Dongfeng-41 (DF-41) is one of the fastest and most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in the world. It is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 25 (30,600 km/h).

Type: Intercontinental ballistic missile
Range: 12,000–15,000 km
Speed: Mach 25
Warheads: Multiple (MIRV capable)

It gives China the ability to strike anywhere in the world within minutes.

9. Agni-V – India (Mach 24)

The Agni-V is an Indian ICBM with an estimated speed of Mach 24 (29,400 km/h). It is India’s most advanced long-range missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Type: Intercontinental ballistic missile
Range: 5,000–8,000 km
Speed: Mach 24
Launch Platform: Land-based mobile launcher

It ensures India’s position as a major nuclear power with credible deterrence.

10. LGM-30 Minuteman III – USA (Mach 23)

The LGM-30 Minuteman III is an American ICBM that has been in service since the 1970s but is continuously upgraded. It can travel at Mach 23 (28,000 km/h).

Type: Intercontinental ballistic missile
Range: 13,000 km
Speed: Mach 23
Warheads: Nuclear (MIRV capable)

It remains one of the pillars of the United States’ nuclear deterrent.

Top 10 Fastest Missiles in the World

Rank	Missile Name	Country	Speed (Mach)	Type	Range
1	Avangard HGV	Russia	Mach 20–27	Hypersonic Glide Vehicle	6,000 km+
2	DF-41 ICBM	China	Mach 25	Intercontinental Ballistic	12,000–15,000 km
3	Agni-V	India	Mach 24	Intercontinental Ballistic	5,000–8,000 km
4	Minuteman III	USA	Mach 23	Intercontinental Ballistic	13,000 km
5	Kinzhal (Kh-47M2)	Russia	Mach 10	Air-Launched Ballistic	2,000 km
6	DF-17	China	Mach 10	Hypersonic Ballistic	2,500 km
7	Zircon (Tsirkon)	Russia	Mach 9	Hypersonic Cruise	1,000 km
8	BrahMos-II	India/Russia	Mach 8	Hypersonic Cruise	600–1000 km
9	Shaurya	India	Mach 7.5	Surface-to-Surface	1,900 km
10	X-51 Waverider	USA	Mach 5.1	Hypersonic (Experimental)	740 km

Missile Types: Understanding The Different Categories

Missiles are among the most advanced and powerful weapons in modern warfare. They are self-propelled, guided weapons designed to deliver explosive payloads with high accuracy. Over the decades, missiles have evolved into different categories based on range, launch platform, purpose, and guidance system. Understanding these classifications is crucial to grasp how nations develop their defense and attack strategies.

Based on Launch Platform

Missiles can be categorized depending on where they are launched from:

a) Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM)

Launched from land or sea platforms.
Designed to strike enemy ground or sea-based targets.
Example: Agni-V (India), DF-41 (China).

b) Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM)

Fired from the ground to target enemy aircraft, drones, or ballistic missiles.
Critical for air defense systems.
Example: Patriot Missile (USA), S-400 (Russia).

c) Air-to-Air Missiles (AAM)

Fired from aircraft to destroy enemy aircraft.
Usually guided by radar or infrared systems.
Example: AIM-120 AMRAAM (USA), Meteor (Europe).

d) Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASM)

Launched from aircraft to strike land or sea targets.
Useful in precision strikes.
Example: AGM-65 Maverick (USA), BrahMos-A (India-Russia).

e) Submarine-Launched Missiles (SLBM/SLCM)

Fired from submarines, either ballistic (SLBM) or cruise (SLCM).
Important for stealth and second-strike capability.
Example: Trident II (USA), K-15 Sagarika (India).

Based on Range

Missiles are also classified based on how far they can travel:

Type	Range	Examples
Short-Range Missiles (SRBM)	Up to 1,000 km	Prithvi-II (India), Scud (Russia)
Medium-Range Missiles (MRBM)	1,000–3,000 km	Agni-II (India), DF-21 (China)
Intermediate-Range Missiles (IRBM)	3,000–5,500 km	Agni-III (India), Hwasong-12 (North Korea)
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM)	Above 5,500 km	Minuteman III (USA), RS-28 Sarmat (Russia)

Based on Purpose

Missiles serve different military functions:

a) Ballistic Missiles

Travel in a high-arching ballistic trajectory.
Can carry nuclear or conventional warheads.
Extremely destructive, used for strategic deterrence.
Example: Minuteman III (USA), Agni-V (India).

b) Cruise Missiles

Fly at low altitudes, guided throughout the flight.
Highly accurate with stealth capability.
Example: Tomahawk (USA), BrahMos (India-Russia).

c) Anti-Ship Missiles

Designed to destroy enemy warships.
Can be launched from air, land, or submarines.
Example: Harpoon (USA), Exocet (France).

d) Anti-Tank Missiles (ATGM)

Portable or vehicle-mounted, designed to destroy armored vehicles and tanks.
Example: Javelin (USA), Kornet (Russia).

e) Anti-Satellite Missiles (ASAT)

Developed to destroy satellites in orbit.
Example: ASAT (India, 2019 test), SC-19 (China).

Final Thoughts

The race for hypersonic weapons is reshaping global military power. Countries like Russia, China, India, and the USA are leading the way in developing faster and deadlier missiles. With some of these weapons reaching speeds above Mach 20, intercepting them is nearly impossible with current defense systems.

These Top 10 fastest missiles in the world represent the peak of technological advancement in modern warfare, ensuring that nations continue to invest heavily in missile development to maintain strategic superiority.