Russia to Test Launch Newest ICBM by Year-End – Industry Official

[Purveyor]

(RIA Novosti) – The test launch of Russia’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile, codenamed Rubezh, could take place before the end of the year, a high-ranking defense industry official told RIA Novosti on Thursday.

The RS-26, a solid-propellant ICBM, will supplement the Yars and Topol-M missiles that are currently in service with Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, the official said.

RS-26 specifications are currently classified, but an unnamed missile industry expert cited by Vedomosti newspaper said the new missile would most likely be equipped with a new warhead and system to override missile defenses.

The expert cited by Vedomosti also played down speculation that RS-26 was designed in violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which prohibits the United States and Russia from owning ballistic missiles with ranges between 500 kilometers and 5,500 kilometers.

In June, Russia tested elements of a new ICBM that Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the defense industry, hailed as a “missile defense killer.”

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http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131003/183922417.html

[ramakrishna]

1. Another ICBM for Russia? How many more they want?

Russia already has many ICBM's with long range. It is leading with the longest ICBM when compared with other ICBM's. Its R-36M (SS-18 Satan) is the world's longest range Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of 16,000km. When I read this list of longest ICBM's in the world out of 10, Russia holds 5 ICBM's. And still they going for another one???

Hope some day India will also get a ICBM over 10k range ....