Global Security Newswire

The date of the next test-firing of Russia's submarine-launched Bulava ballistic missile is to be selected early next month, the Xinhua News Agency reported (see GSN, Aug. 10).

A special "government commission is expected to set the preliminary date of the missile launch at the end of the first 10-day period of September," an informed source told Interfax.

The 13th launch of the nuclear-capable missile had been anticipated this month, but was delayed while Moscow diverted government resources to suppress fires blazing around the country (see GSN, Aug. 22).

The Bulava is designed to carry up to 10 nuclear warheads as far as 5,000 miles. The missile has failed in seven of 12 flight tests to date. Russia's military, however, maintains the weapon is an essential element of the nation's future nuclear arsenal (Xinhua News Agency, Aug. 23).