Article Posted on : - Nov 25, 2009

A file photo of Bulava missile test.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has put off the test-launch of its troubled Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile for a later date by the end of this year.

The missile was tentatively scheduled to be tested on Tuesday. But it was postponed as “the Defense Ministry and the manufacturer still have a number of issues, including technical, to resolve before the Bulava can be tested again sometime by year's end,” RIA Novosti quoted a source as stating.

The missile, which is being developed to form the core of Russia’s nuclear triad, carries up to 10 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) warheads. Designed for deployment on the Borey class nuclear-powered submarines, the three-stage solid-propellant ballistic missile has a range of over 8,000 kilometers.

The missile was last test-fired in July this year which ended in failure. Out of total 11 tests the missile has undergone so far, six have resulted in failure.

Nevertheless, the Russian military is firm on its position to continue testing the missile till it is fully ready for induction in the country’s Navy.