09.10.2009
Pacific Fleet strategic nuclear-powered submarines Svyatoi Georgy Pobedonosets and Ryazan successfully launched RSM-50 ballistic missiles from Sea of Okhotsk water zone upon Chizha test range on Oct, 6-7. That was stated by Russian Ministry of Defense on Oct 9, says RIA Novosti.
According to the source, launches were performed from undersea position in accordance with combat training plan. Missile warheads arrived at the range in set time. "Command estimates launches as successful", says information summary of MoD press service received by
RIA Novosti.
We recall that the
Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper has previously reported about successful firing of sea-based ballistic missiles. According to the publisher referred to "informed sources", that were tests of newest missiles
RSM-54 Sineva; the military did not want to advertise the firing before meeting of Minister of Defense Anatoly Serdiukov with the President Dmitry Medvedev on Oct 8. But it was not announced about launches that day.
The newspaper also said that test of intercontinental ballistic missile
RSM-56 Bulava will be conducted next week. Navy Commander Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said in Sept that launch of
Bulava will be carried out late 2009, not mentioning exact date.
It should be noted that
RSM-50 ballistic missiles are currently the basic weapon of Project 667BDR
Kalmar submarines comprising
Svyatoi Georgy Pobedonosets and
Ryazan. They were firstly commissioned in 1979. Missiles
RSM-54 Sineva were army-approved in 2007 and are presently used on Project 667BDRM
Delfin strategic submarine cruisers.
Source:
