MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will hold two test launches of the Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile by the end of the year, including one from the Borey-class submarine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.
“There will be two launches this autumn – the first one will be held in September, from the Vladimir Monomakh submarine as part of its trials, the second [launch] is due in November,” Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said.
The rest of the Bulava test launches are scheduled for 2015. The missiles will be launched by Northern Fleet and Pacific Fleet submarines.
Bulava is Russia's cutting-edge intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Equipped with 10 warheads with a 9,000-kilometer range, it is even capable of withstanding nuclear attack.
Test launches of the Bulava have been experiencing some problems. Last September during state trials of the Aleksander Nevsky nuclear-powered submarine a Bulava rocket experienced a malfunction. Following this incident Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu ordered to hold five additional launches of Bulava missiles.
