Article Posted on : - Dec 16, 2009

A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): Despite being marred by a series of test failures, Russia’s Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile will continue to be tested, the country's Navy chief has said.

“We shall continue (to work with Bulava). Just think, how can it be replaced with any other,” Commander-in-Chief of Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky told Itar-Tass news agency.

When asked whether a new missile would be developed or the Sineva (RSM-54) sea-based ballistic missile would replace the Bulava, the Navy chief said: “it's impossible.”

The latest test of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from a nuclear-powered submarine ended in failure last week. Technical fault in the missile's third stage engine faltered the flight's course, the Defence ministry had said.

The missile has undergone a total of 12 test-launches so far, out of which seven have resulted in failure.

Earlier in July this year, the missile self-destructed when its first stage engine malfunctioned.

Russia had decided in 1998 to develop the missile in order to equip its military with advanced defence capabilities and making it resistant to missile-defence systems.

The missile, 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 Borey class nuclear-powered submarines, the three-stage solid-propellant ballistic missile has a range of over 8,000 kilometers.