Alwaght- The Russian Defense Ministry has announced that the successful test-launch of its new powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Plesetsk spaceport in the north of the country.
The missile was successfully fired for the second time since tests began in December 2017. It will replace the Soviet-built Voevoda ICBM, which is approaching the end of its service life.
The ICBM, known as Sarmat (RS-28) is expected to go operational in the Uzhur-based strategic missile force division in 2021, a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS.
"Under the government-run program for armaments extending till 2027 Sarmat is to be produced serially starting from 2020. The first regiment armed with this missile is to enter duty in the Uzhur-based division," the agency’s source said.
At first the regiment will consist of a command center and two missiles in silos. Eventually the regiment’s strength will be increased to six silos.
Earlier, mass media quoted officials as saying more than once that the deployment of the new heavy missile is to begin after 2018.
Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said the Russian army will get the new ICBM Sarmat by the moment the life cycle of the current heavy missile R-36M2 Voyevoda expires.
RS-28 is Russia’s new generation silo-based heavy liquid propellant inter-continental ballistic missile. Work on it has been underway since the 2000s with the aim to produce a substitute for the R-36M2 Voyevoda. It has a mass of about 200 tonnes and payload of about 10 tonnes.
In his state-of-the-nation address in early March, President Vladimir Putin touted several advanced Russian weapons, including the Sarmat heavy missile.
