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5/24/2012 - Russia tests new ICBM to reply NATO summit

 Yesterday May 23, 2012, Moscow staged the first successful test-launch of a new ICBM designed to pierce the missile shield defence system now being deployed by NATO. The launch came just two days after the NATO summit in Chicago that widely focused on the European missile shield.

"This missile should raise the combat capabilities of Russia's Strategic Nuclear Forces, including by improving their ability to overcome missile defence systems" said Vadim Koval, defence ministry spokesman.

The first attempt failed on September 27 when the missile suffered and undisclosed malfunction, crashing only 10 km from the launch site. The development of this weapon is said to have been a top-secret programme.

"This is one of the measures being developed by Russia's military and political leadership in response to the US deployment of a global anti-missile system" reported Viktor Yesin, former strategic forces director.

According to press reports, the missile is said to be easier to manoeuvre and has individual warheads that could change course as they close in on a target at supersonic speed. It should be noted that Russia already has hundreds of missiles capable of carry about 2000 nuclear warheads on the United States, but much of the force is built on technology developed in the Soviet era, and it will be obsolete by the time NATO shield becomes operational (2018).

"It can reach any spot on Earth from Russian soil with a maximum range of 16.000 km, and can carry a bigger payload than any missile in Russia's current range". (Avionews)
(2013)