Russian Navy

New START-3 treaty won't affect development of Bulava and Yars missiles

02/08/2011

Text: RIA Novosti
Photo: Launch of SLBM Bulava. TV channel Rossiya

New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-3) will not affect Russia's plans to create intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) Bulava and Yars, said Russian vice premier Sergei Ivanov at press conference.

"All plans related to development of strategic armed forces remain in force. This concerns Bulava and Yars missiles as well", Ivanov said.

He reminded that the new agreement on strategic nuclear arms which took effect on Saturday after exchange of ratifications "does not put any additional obligations on Russia, except adherence to limits specified in the document".

Ivanov added that in accordance with START-3 treaty Russia would not have to dismantle operable missile systems, since in due time armed forces would gradually meet the limits specified in the agreement.

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev signed the law ratifying START-3 on Jan 28, and set his hand to a ratification instrument on Feb 1.

Russian and American presidents signed new agreement on strategic nuclear weapons on Apr 8, 2010 in Prague. The parties agreed to reduce total number of nuclear warheads on 30 per cent comparing to previous agreement signed in 2002 in Moscow – down to 1,550, and halve limiting level for number of strategic delivery vehicles. The document was ratified by the both parliaments and the U.S. Senate.

New submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava is to be commissioned into Russian Navy in 2011 provided that all forthcoming test launches are successful. By now, 14 launches have been conducted; seven of them were abortive.

SLBM Bulava is supposed to become the core element of Russia's naval strategic nuclear forces; new Bulava-carrying submarines have been already laid down.

Mobile ground-based multiple warhead ballistic missile system RS-24 Yars is advanced version of Topol-M system.

Late in 2010 Sergei Karakayev, Strategic Missile Force Commander reported that the Army abandoned the program of single-warheaded Topol-M and rearm with Yars missile systems.

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