diff --git a/resources/lang/en.json b/resources/lang/en.json
index 516d9645ab..d824972b17 100644
--- a/resources/lang/en.json
+++ b/resources/lang/en.json
@@ -771,6 +771,8 @@
     "received_gold_from_conquest": "Conquered {name}, received {gold} gold",
     "conquered_no_gold": "Conquered {name} (didn't play, no gold awarded)",
     "missile_intercepted": "Missile intercepted {unit}",
+    "interceptor_destroyed": "Interceptor destroyed, retargeting {unit}",
+    "interceptor_destroyed_attacker": "{unit} survived interception, will re-attempt interception, if possible",
     "mirv_warheads_intercepted": "{count, plural, one {{count} MIRV warhead intercepted} other {{count} MIRV warheads intercepted}}",
     "sent_troops_to_player": "Sent {troops} troops to {name}",
     "received_troops_from_player": "Received {troops} troops from {name}",
diff --git a/src/core/configuration/Config.ts b/src/core/configuration/Config.ts
index 55fbab613a..242610d7bd 100644
--- a/src/core/configuration/Config.ts
+++ b/src/core/configuration/Config.ts
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ export interface Config {
   safeFromPiratesCooldownMax(): number;
   defensePostRange(): number;
   SAMCooldown(): number;
+  samRefireDelayTicks(): number;
   SiloCooldown(): number;
   minDistanceBetweenPlayers(): number;
   defensePostDefenseBonus(): number;
diff --git a/src/core/configuration/DefaultConfig.ts b/src/core/configuration/DefaultConfig.ts
index 2195371a32..15ea543a79 100644
--- a/src/core/configuration/DefaultConfig.ts
+++ b/src/core/configuration/DefaultConfig.ts
@@ -203,6 +203,11 @@ export class DefaultConfig implements Config {
   SAMCooldown(): number {
     return 75;
   }
+  samRefireDelayTicks(): number {
+    // Beta testing: adjust this constant to tune the delay before a SAM can
+    // refire at a nuke whose interceptor was destroyed. 0 = instant refire.
+    return 0;
+  }
   SiloCooldown(): number {
     return 75;
   }
diff --git a/src/core/execution/NukeExecution.ts b/src/core/execution/NukeExecution.ts
index 2bf2055b71..41e6a105a1 100644
--- a/src/core/execution/NukeExecution.ts
+++ b/src/core/execution/NukeExecution.ts
@@ -322,8 +322,7 @@ export class NukeExecution implements Execution {
         type === UnitType.AtomBomb ||
         type === UnitType.HydrogenBomb ||
         type === UnitType.MIRVWarhead ||
-        type === UnitType.MIRV ||
-        type === UnitType.SAMMissile
+        type === UnitType.MIRV
       ) {
         continue;
       }
diff --git a/src/core/execution/SAMMissileExecution.ts b/src/core/execution/SAMMissileExecution.ts
index 657166a80e..22df4ad882 100644
--- a/src/core/execution/SAMMissileExecution.ts
+++ b/src/core/execution/SAMMissileExecution.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export class SAMMissileExecution implements Execution {
   private SAMMissile: Unit | undefined;
   private mg: Game;
   private speed: number = 0;
+  private refireDelayRemaining: number | null = null;
 
   constructor(
     private spawn: TileRef,
@@ -39,6 +40,31 @@ export class SAMMissileExecution implements Execution {
       {},
     );
     if (!this.SAMMissile.isActive()) {
+      // Interceptor was destroyed (e.g. by nuke blast) — allow SAMs to re-target this nuke after delay
+      if (this.target.isActive()) {
+        this.refireDelayRemaining ??= this.mg.config().samRefireDelayTicks();
+        if (this.refireDelayRemaining > 0) {
+          this.refireDelayRemaining--;
+          return;
+        }
+        this.target.setTargetedBySAM(false);
+        // Notify defender their interceptor was destroyed
+        this.mg.displayMessage(
+          "events_display.interceptor_destroyed",
+          MessageType.SAM_MISS,
+          this._owner.id(),
+          undefined,
+          { unit: this.target.type() },
+        );
+        // Notify attacker their nuke survived interception
+        this.mg.displayMessage(
+          "events_display.interceptor_destroyed_attacker",
+          MessageType.SAM_MISS,
+          this.target.owner().id(),
+          undefined,
+          { unit: this.target.type() },
+        );
+      }
       this.active = false;
       return;
     }