MOSCOW, June 18 (RIA Novosti) – By 2020, all units of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) will be equipped with an advanced targeting system capable of guiding ballistic missiles through US missile defenses, a Defense Ministry source said Tuesday.
Some media outlets earlier reported that Russia had been developing a third-generation command-and-control system to improve the launch and targeting procedures for ballistic missiles. The project, dubbed Vozzvaniye (Proclamation), will allow rapid retargeting of missiles in real time after the launch.
“These reports are correct: all SMF units will be equipped with this system by 2020,” the source, who asked to remain unanimous due to the confidential nature of the subject, told RIA Novosti.
The officials said the new system would be compatible with existing Topol-M and Yars ballistic missiles, as well as with the future heavy liquid-fuel ICBM slated to replace the Voyevoda (SS-18 Satan) missile.
The Voyevoda, in service since 1967, is equipped with outdated electronic components and cannot be integrated into the new system, the source said.
According to open sources, the SMF currently operates at least 58 silo-based SS-18 Satan ballistic missiles, 160 road-mobile Topol (SS-25 Sickle) missile systems, 50 silo-based and 18 road-mobile Topol-M (SS-27 Sickle B) systems, and 18 RS-24 Yars systems.
