Article Posted on : - Oct 31, 2011

Russian Topol M Missile system. A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia is planning to increase the service life of the Topol mobile ballistic missile systems by 2019, according to media reports.

"The road-mobile Topol missile systems may remain in service with the SMF until 2019. The evaluation of its [Topol missile] reliability and technical condition allows us to consider further extension of its service life," RIA Novosti quoted Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) Lt. Gen. Sergei Karakayev as saying.

The missile which was originally designed for a 10 year long service period has been serving the armed forces from last 23 years. Russia will replace the missile with mobile Topol-M (SS-27 Stalin) and RS-24 Yars missile systems, the report said.

The missile has a maximum range of 10,000 km (6,125 miles) and can carry a nuclear warhead with a yield of 550 kilotons, it said.