A test of Russia's Bulava missile (Photo: PressTV).
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on November 5 that it had successfully launched the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), designed to carry nuclear warheads, from the nuclear-powered submarine Imperator Alexander III.
The missile was launched from the White Sea, off Russia's northern coast, and hit its target thousands of kilometers away on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Far East.
According to information shared by the Russian Defense Ministry on the Telegram platform, the launch of the ballistic missile is the final step in the state testing of the new weapon. After this process is completed, the Russian Navy will make a decision on receiving the new submarine.
The Borei-class strategic missile submarine is equipped with 16 Bulava missiles and modern torpedo weapons.
The 12-meter-long Bulava missile has an estimated range of 8,000 kilometers and can carry up to six nuclear warheads. This weapon is considered the "cornerstone" of the Russian Navy's nuclear triad.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not disclose when the test took place.
The new ballistic missile launch comes as President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will maintain its nuclear deterrent to counter growing security threats. Since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, relations between Moscow and the West have plunged to their lowest point and are in a state of constant confrontation.
Previously, in December 2022, TASS news agency reported that President Putin attended the launching ceremony of the submarine Imperator Aleksandr III.
In addition, the Russian Defense Ministry added that the country's Navy currently owns three Borei-class nuclear-powered submarines in operation, one is completing the testing process and three more are under construction.
Source
Comment (0)