Russia to deploy new missile systems by 2020: military

SPACE WAR
Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Russia’s armed forces will be equipped with new nuclear-capable missiles by 2020 that can overcome defensive measures like the controversial US missile shield, a top military official said on Wednesday.

The comments by the overall commander of Russia’s missile forces indicate Russia is planning a far-reaching refurbishment of its intercontinental missile arsenal where Soviet-era warhorses still play an important role.

“By 2015-2020 the Russian strategic rocket forces will have new complete missile systems with improved combat characteristics,” General Nikolai Solovtsov told reporters at a briefing in the Moscow region.

“They will be capable of carrying out any tasks, including in conditions where an enemy uses anti-missile defence measures,” Solovtsov said, quoted by Russian news agencies.

Russian officials have expressed fury at the US plan to install missile defence facilities in Central Europe, despite US assurances that the system is not directed against Russia.

(ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW)

Washington plans to put an anti-missile radar facility in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland, both ex-Eastern bloc countries which are now NATO members.

President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have urged US president-elect Barack Obama to drop the system, which was devised by the outgoing administration of George W. Bush.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday he expected the Obama administration to “constructively cooperate with us” on arms control issues, the Interfax news agency reported.

However despite the expressions of optimism from Moscow, Obama has yet to give any details about his intentions.

Solovtsov said the Russian rocket forces are “developing and putting new missile systems on combat duty and perfecting their capabilities in line with the threats that are currently apparent.”

Russia is working to upgrade its Soviet-era forces and has repeatedly tested new missiles in recent months amid the controversy over the missile shield.

It is introducing new missiles into its existing arsenal like the Stiletto, the Voevoda and the Topol.

The refurbishment of the missile forces comes alongside a wider shake-up of the armed forces, which is expected to see a massive reorganisation of structures and personnel cuts to make the military more dynamic.

The military has already started mass production of the Topol-M, a three-stage ballistic missile with a range of 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) which can be deployed on both stationary and mobile launch platforms.

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4 Responses to “Russia to deploy new missile systems by 2020: military”

1. Phil Says:
   December 17th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

   Just how long does it take for US secrets to get translated into russian? 7-12 years sure, they probably have our latest designs direct from the CIA already

2. val Says:
   December 17th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

   More precisely, the RS-24 missile will be accepted into service by early 2009 , as it has passed 3 tests just this year and all of them were spectacular. The RS-24 will not replace any of the existing systems ( Topol, Topol-M, Voevoda), but rather introduce a new approach to the upcoming ” missile defense” scam, as the missile will not be “ballistic” in nature but rather more like a “cruise on crack”. That’s for the land. As far as sea based- they are getting the “Bulava” complex for their new D.Dolgorukij submarine of the “Borei 955″ class. This one is continuing the tests in 2009 and most likely will be accepted in 2010 and mass produced till 2020. source-http://lenta.ru/news/2008/12/16/end/

3. timmy no Says:
   December 17th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

   Sounds like the dawn of a new Red Agressor. Is this the the going be called the Great Freeze i dont see America moving towards Dominates and tech upgrades.

4. russia is way ahead Says:
   December 17th, 2008 at 11:58 pm

   russia has been way ahead of conventional weaponry for over 20 years. who knows how far the americans have gotten.

   This is great reading, and its not too long:

   http://www.mindcontrolforums.c.....eapons.htm

   I always laugh when I see these headliens about conventional weapons and nukes and the like. they are just an excuse to spend money and keep people in fear.