Russia to Test Two Ballistic Missiles

Russia announced Thursday that it plans to flight-test two Tochka ballistic missiles between Nov. 13 and 17 from a site in southern Russia, RIA Novosti reported (see GSN, Oct. 18).

Also called the SS-21 Scarab, the short-range, single-warhead missile can be fired from a mobile launcher to hit targets within 45 miles.  Russia has maintained the weapon in its arsenal since 1976, but it ultimately is to be replaced by the multiple-warhead Iskander-M missile.

“The missile units will conduct missile firing practices (at the Kapustin Yar testing site in the Astrakhan Region) and will test launch two Tochka tactical missiles,” said Col. Igor Konashenkov.

The Russian Ground Forces successfully tested 12 Tochka missiles in 2007, Konashenkov said, noting that the November launches would be carried out by a Siberian missile brigade.

Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces plan to launch five ICBMs by the end of this year, said commander Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov.  Russia has already conducted seven ICBM tests in 2007, RIA Novosti reported.

“By the end of this year, we will test launch another five missiles, including an RS-18 (SS-19 Stiletto), an RS-12M (SS-25 Sickle), a missile interceptor and a heavy RS-20 (SS-18 Satan),” Solovtsov said.

He noted that that five regiments armed with silo-based Topol-M systems have been brought online in the Saratov Region (RIA Novosti/Spacewar.com, Oct. 29).

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