Article Posted on : - Mar 05, 2010

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has successfully carried out Sineva intercontinental ballistic missile launch from a submarine in the Barents Sea on Thursday, a Defense Ministry spokesman.

The missile was launched at 7:50 a.m. Moscow time from the Tula Delta IV-class submarine, Russian news agency Ria Novosti said.

The RSM-54 Sineva (NATO designation SS-N-23 Skiff) is a liquid-propellant submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) designed for Delta IV-class submarines that can carry up to 16 missiles each.

The Sineva, which is already in service, is seen as a rival to the troubled Bulava, which has been specifically designed for the new Borey-class submarines. The Bulava has, however, suffered seven failures in 12 tests.

Russia is planning to equip its Delta IV class submarines with at least 100 Sineva missiles.