👉 The Auckland missiles, also known as the R-12 or A-1, were a series of British-designed medium-range ballistic missiles developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Developed by the British Inter-Planetary Research Establishment (IPRE) and later adopted by New Zealand, these missiles were intended to counter the growing threat of Soviet ballistic missiles in the region. The R-12 had a range of approximately 600 kilometers and was capable of carrying a payload of up to 1,500 kilograms. It featured a two-stage design, with the first stage using a liquid-propellant rocket engine and the second stage employing a solid-fueled motor. The Auckland missiles were notable for their stealthy design and were deployed primarily in New Zealand's remote areas to protect against potential nuclear attacks from the Soviet Union.
