New Delhi: The ongoing war between Iran and the Israel-US alliance is only aggravating, and with Tehran reportedly launching its long-range Sejjil ballistic missile for the first time during the current war, it looks to enter another phase of development.
The long-range ballistic missile is also called the ‘dancing missile’ because of the swirling trails it leaves in the sky. The use of Sejjil missiles is being seen by many as Iran upping the ante of the war, showing its willingness to use some of its most advanced missile systems into active combat.
What is the Sejjil missile?
The Sejjil missile is one of Iran’s most advanced medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs), designed to strike targets up to 2,000–2,500 km away. That range places all of Israel and much of the Middle East within reach.
Unlike many earlier Iranian missiles such as the Shahab series, the Sejjil uses solid fuel and a two-stage rocket system. This brings several advantages. These include for example the fact that the missile can be launched much faster and requires less preparation time before firing. It can also be fired from mobile launchers, which makes it harder to detect and destroy before launch.
According to US Pentagon sources, the missile profile of the Sejil closely matches those of the Ashura, Ghadr-110 and the Samen, other advanced missiles in Iran’s arsenal. Various estimates put the missile at around 18 metres in length, with reports that it can carry a warhead of up to about 1,000 kg.
Why is it called the ‘dancing missile’?
The Sejjil has gained the nickname ‘dancing missile’ due to the unusual twisting or snake-like trails it leaves in the sky after launch. Many such images have often gone viral online.
This effect is not caused by the missile physically zig-zagging through the air but by high-altitude winds distorting the condensation trail left by the rocket exhaust. As the plume drifts through layers of wind moving in different directions, it forms dramatic spiral patterns that look like the missile is ‘dancing’ across the sky.