Russia to continue advanced missile tests in 2007-SMF commander

RIA via Drudge Report ^ | Sept. 1, 2007 | Not specified

[RDTF]

MOSCOW, September 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Strategic Missile Forces will conduct more tests of new warheads for its intercontinental ballistic missiles later this year, the SMF commander said Saturday.

"This year we will continue test and combat-training launches of new types of warheads for the Topol-M and Bulava sea-launched missile complexes," Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov said.

He said previously a second missile battalion, equipped with advanced Topol-M (SS-27) road-mobile ICBMs, will be put on combat duty before the end of the year and that the deployment of silo-based Topol-M systems in the Saratov Region and road-mobile systems in the Ivanovo Region (central Russia) would be completed in 2010.

As of December 2006, the Strategic Missile Forces operated 44 silo-based and three mobile missile systems.

The commander said the Topol-M system will be equipped with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRV) in the next two or three years, adding that the new system would help penetrate missile defenses more effectively.

His statement came against the backdrop of growing tensions between Moscow and the West regarding plans by the United States to deploy elements of its global antiballistic missile defense system in Central Europe.

Gen. Solovtsov said the Strategic Missile Forces would factor in the new threats.

"If the U.S. proceeds with missile defense plans, despite serious opposition from people in Europe, the Strategic Missile Forces will manage to take adequate measures to counter threats to Russia," he said.

[in hoc signo vinces]

Geeee....I guess we dismantled all those peacekeeper (MX) missles too early.

[RDTF]

yep...Russia is making a rebound lately

[in hoc signo vinces]

Perhaps the 64,000 dollar question is who are they trying to send a message too?

We, of course, know what Russia is capable of...and would never pre-emptively attack them.

They, of course, know the missile shield tech was never designed to counter a massive strike IS defensive in purpose...so their clamoring that it is a provokatory measure is a pure red herring arguement, which means the Russians are up to something.

I only wonder if this is for the rest of the “third” world out there, which having watched Russia’s decline over the last two decades assumes them to be weak and without the ability to project power.

I cannot seriously believe that Russia desires another arms race with us...IMHO they’re doing this to trump up their economic bargaining power around the world (especially with Iran, etc...)

However, if an arms race is what they want...I say we give them another one. I have no problem with that.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Russia is building up their vast oil and gas reserves to sell to western europe. The nuke thing is a blackmail ploy.

Europe has so lost the US when it comes to future defense. After Iraq, I cannot see any western european country getting our support militarily.

[GBA]

In twisted Soviet logic, our defensive weapon system is offensive in that it prevents a counter attack from being successful, so we would not deterred from attacking pre-emptively if we have a missile defense shield...or something like that. It also keeps the Soviets...er, Russians from invading and taking back their old satellite states and that is very offensive to the Soviets...er, Russians.