Article Posted on : - Jul 20, 2009

The missile's test launch had failed due to technical malfunctioning. -- Image credit: Ria Novosti

MOSCOW (BNS): Undaunted by the recent failure of Bulava ballistic missile test, the Russian Navy has decided to induct it in its service.

“We are committed to this missile flying,” Vice Admiral Oleg Burtsev told Ekho Moskvy radio station in an interview.

On July 15, the Bulava Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) exploded after its first stage malfunctioned when it was fired from the submerged Dmitry Donskoi strategic nuclear-powered submarine in the White Sea.

Admiral Burtsev cited technical glitch as the reason for the missile’s failure. “The submarine crew painstakingly accomplished all set tasks,” he said.

So far, six of the 11 Bulava tests have ended in failure, Ria Novosti reported, adding that the missiles’ tests were put off for a while during which its components were being tested in the labs.

The Naval official said that test launches of Bulava from Dmitry Donskoi submarine will continue in near future, and the missile will later be tested on the Yury Dolgoruky strategic submarine, the first of the new Borey class vessels.

The Russian military aims at developing and including the Bulava, along with the Topol-M land-based ballistic missile, as the core of its nuclear triad.

The Bulava SLBM carries up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers. The three-stage ballistic missile is designed for deployment on Borey-class nuclear-powered submarines, the Russian news agency said.