“Bulava” missiles ready this year
The submarine-based intercontinental nuke-missiles “Bulava” will be put into service this year despite new delays in the test programme.
BarentsObserver reported in February that the next planned test for Russia’s new prestige missile named “Bulava”, or SS-NX-30 in NATO terms, would probably be in March. The information was from a source in the Russian defence industry talking to the news agency Interfax.
Thursday this week Interfax quote deputy Defence Minister Vladimir Popovkin saying the first test would be conducted not earlier than in June. Popovkin said the number of Bulava tests in 2009 could exceed five.
After the tests, the missile will be put into service later in 2009. RIA-Novosti quoted Popovkin saying Russia will put the Bulava missile system on combat duty aboard the submarine “Yury Dolgoruky” this year.
“Yury Dolgoruky”, Russia’s first new-built strategical submarine since 1992 is due to start in the spring when navigation begins in the White Sea.
Since 2003, Russia has conducted ten test launches of the “Bulava” missile. Five of the tests have ended in failure, like the last test on December 23rd last year, reported by BarentsObserver.
