Russia test-fires RS-12M Topol anti-BMD ballistic missile
10 Dec 2007
Moscow: Russia''s Strategic Missile Forces have successfully test fired an RS-12M intercontinental ballistic missile, a spokesman said on Saturday.
"The launch of the ICBM RS-12M Topol was successfully conducted at 5:43 p.m. Moscow time [2:43 p.m. GMT] on December 8 from the Kapustin Yar testing site in the Arkhangelsk Region," Colonel Alexander Vovk said.
The test follows up on an earlier test on October 18.
According to defence observers, the missile''s service life has been extended to 21 years, more than double the 10 years originally intended.
The RS-12M Topol ballistic missile (NATO codename- SS-25 Sickle) test was part of a trial of unspecified new equipment that could pierce anti-missile shields. Russian generals have said earlier that the country is working on weapons that would pierce any missile shield the United States could make.
The test comes even as Russia has suspended participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty in a move that could allow it to deploy more forces close to Western Europe.
The suspension becomes valid on December 12-13.
The missile has a maximum range of 10,000 km (6,215 miles), and can carry one 550-kiloton nuclear warhead. The 20.5 meter (67 ft) long missile made its first flights in 1982.
