03.05.2009
More land-based bed-tests are necessary before test fires of the Bulava sea-based intercontinental ballistic missile can be resumed, Deputy Minister of Defence Vladimir Popovkin says.
The last test fire of the missile was conducted in December 2008 and ended in failure. Investigations have shown that the reason was faulty factory work.
- We have to focus more on the technological processes and conduct several land tests of the missile in order to increase its performance, General Popovkin said to
RIA Novosti. - There was nothing at all serious in the last failed test fire, but we have to simulate some tests on land, he said.
The number of
Bulava tests in 2009 could exceed five and that the first test would be conducted not earlier than in June. Since 2003, Russia has conducted ten test launches of the
Bulava missile. Five of the tests have ended in failure.
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