Russia Tests New Multiple-Warhead ICBM

Russia flight-tested a new type of strategic missile today, announcing the arrival of a successor to the nation’s aging arsenal of multiple-warhead missiles, Tass reported (see GSN, May 9).

Russia has elected to replace its SS-18 and SS-19 ICBMs with the new system, dubbed the RS-24.  Yesterday’s test was conducted from a mobile launcher, according to Tass.

“In 2008, together with the single-warhead RS-12 M “Topol M,” [the] RS-24 will make up the backbone” of Russia’s strategic rocket forces, according to a Russian release.  “It will be capable of providing reliable security of the country and its allies until the middle of the 21st century” (Tass, May 29).

The new multiple-warhead missile would also enable Russia to surmount any U.S. missile defenses, said a statement from the rocket forces.

Russia has objected strenuously to U.S. plans to deploy 10 missile interceptors and a guidance radar in Eastern Europe (see GSN, May 14).

“We consider it harmful and dangerous to turn Europe into a powder keg,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said today (Jim Heintz, Associated Press/Yahoo!News, May 29).

Defense experts said the test demonstrated a significant new Russian capability.

“The main advantage is that this is a Russian rocket,” said Ivan Safranchuk, head of the Center for Defense Information’s Moscow office.  “The other multiple-warhead missiles were built in Ukraine.  Before, there [were] no Russian-built multiple-warhead missiles” (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, May 29).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.