Article Posted on : - Jul 17, 2009

A File Photo

MOSCOW (BNS): A scheduled test of Russia's new Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on July 15 was a failure, the Defence Ministry's press service said on Thursday. The missile was fired from the Dmitry Donskoi strategic nuclear-powered submarine in the White Sea, off Russia's northwest coast.

According to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti, Six of the 11 test launches of the Bulava have ended in failure. The launches were temporarily suspended and the missile components were tested in the labs after a series of previous failures.

"The missile self-destructed after a malfunction of the first stage. A naval commission will investigate the cause of the missile's self-destruction" the ministry said, as quoted by Ria Novosti.

The Bulava is an SLBM under development in Russia. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology is chiefly responsible for the missile's design. Russia's Borey-class nuclear submarines will be equipped with Bulava missiles.