Russian nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles can presently be fired from movable platforms or from stationary silos. The mobile launchers are envisioned for use in a second retaliatory strike while the silo-based missiles are held to prevent possible attacks.
"This [strategic missile forces] structure will most likely remain unchanged for years or even decades to come," SMF Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Valery Mazurov told the Rossiya 24 channel. "The composition of ICBM systems (2) (in SMF structure) is based on a thorough analysis of potential military conflicts of varied intensity that involve the use of nuclear weapons."
The strategic missile forces are understood to presently have a minimum of 160 movable Topol ICBMs, 18 road-transportable Topol-M missiles, 50 Topol-M missiles in silos, 58 SS-18 high-altitude missiles in silos, and 18 RS-24 Yars ballistic missiles.
In 2011, the strategic missile forces announced the RS-24 and the Topol-M would form the backbone of the land-based leg of the nation's nuclear deterrent and would form a minimum of four-fifths of the SMF stockpile no later than 2016.
The strategic missile forces are wrapping up protective updates to nine key missile sites that are intended to thwart possible extremist assaults, RIA Novosti (3) reported.
"The modernization includes the upgrade of warning and surveillance systems, detection sensors, integrated fire control systems and power supply grids," SMF spokesman Col. Vadim Koval said.
"The overhaul is being carried out at the highest levels of secrecy in regard to the specifications of the installed equipment and its operating algorithms," he said.
The organization is also updating its training and operation regulations for guards protecting stationary and movable missiles.
(1)Russia to Keep Silo and Mobile ICBM Launchers in Future.
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| Topol-M systems |
The two-component structure of the SMF reflects its purpose as part of Russia’s nuclear triad. Silo-based ICBMs serve as a preventive nuclear deterrent of any potential aggression while road-mobile ICBM launchers ensure the capability to respond to nuclear strikes by potential foes.
“This SMF structure will most likely remain unchanged for years or even decades to come,” Mazurov said in an interview with Rossiya 24 television.
“The composition of ICBM systems [in SMF structure] is based on a thorough analysis of potential military conflicts of varied intensity that involve the use of nuclear weapons,” the general said.
According to open sources, the SMF currently operates at least 58 silo-based SS-18 Satan ballistic missiles, 160 road-mobile Topol (SS-25 Sickle) missile systems, 50 silo-based and 18 road-mobile Topol-M (SS-27 Sickle B) systems, and 18 RS-24 Yars systems.
The SMF said last year that the Topol-M and RS-24 ballistic missiles would be the mainstay of the ground-based component of Russia's nuclear triad and would account for no less than 80 percent of the SMF's arsenal by 2016.
(2) Moscow Finishes Arming Sector of Missile Force
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| A Russian RS-24 ICBM lifts off in a 2007 test launch. A missile formation in central Russia is now fully armed with Topol-M missiles and RS-24 launch systems, Moscow said on Thursday (AP Photo). |
Russia on Thursday said it had finished equipping its Teikovo missile formation, based in the nation's central region, with Topol-M and Yars strategic missile units, RIA Novosti (A) reported.
“The Teikovo division has become the first [strategic missile forces] division fully rearmed with fifth-generation mobile missile systems,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Vadim Koval stated.
Moscow furnished Topol-M equipment to a pair of Teikovo formation regiments and Yars gear to the remaining two regiments. The Yars system is built to fire RS-24 ICBMs.
Meanwhile, Moscow on Friday indicated it cannot finalize the timing of a planned Bulava ballistic missile test launch due to difficulties involving computer code for managing the weapon's flight, ITAR-Tass reported.
Efforts are under way to address the faults, and officials hope to conduct the exercise before 2013 from the Borei-class submarine Alexander Nevsky, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.
A Russian defense industry insider previously said a new Bulava missile trial firing was slated to occur (B) from the vessel in November.
(3)Russia Boosts Security at Missile Launch Sites
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| Russia Boosts Security at Missile Launch Sites |
“The modernization includes the upgrade of warning and surveillance systems, detection sensors, integrated fire control systems and power supply grids,” Col. Vadim Koval said.
The spokesman said that automated security at SMF bases is provided by six different systems, developed and produced by Russian defense industry firms.
“The overhaul is being carried out at the highest levels of secrecy in regard to the specifications of the installed equipment and its operating algorithms,” Koval said.
In addition to the modernization of the existing automated systems, the SMF is tightening rules of engagement and training requirements for security personnel at the bases and around mobile missile launch sites.
According to open sources, the SMF currently operates at least 58 silo-based SS-18 Satan ballistic missiles, 160 road-mobile Topol (SS-25 Sickle) missile systems, 50 silo-based and 18 road-mobile Topol-M (SS-27 Sickle B) systems, and 18 RS-24 Yars systems.
(A) Teikovo Division Gets Full Arsenal of New Missile Systems
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| Topol-M ballistic missile system |
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| Topol-M ballistic missile system |
The Teikovo missile division of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces (SMF), based in central Russia, has been fully equipped with advanced Topol-M and Yars ballistic missile systems, the defense ministry said on Thursday.
“The Teikovo division has become the first SMF division fully rearmed with fifth-generation mobile missile systems,” the ministry spokesman Col. Vadim Koval said.
Two regiments of the Teikovo division are equipped with Topol-M systems while the other two regiments of the division are equipped with Yars systems.
The Yars missile system is armed with the multiple-warhead RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile that has considerably better combat and operational capabilities than the Topol-M (SS-27 Stalin).
Two more missile divisions have started receiving the Yars systems in 2012, Koval said.
The Novosibirsk division (in Siberia) will receive mobile Yars systems, while the Kozelsk division (in central Russia) will be armed with the silo-based version of the system.
The SMF said last year that the Topol-M and RS-24 ballistic missiles would be the mainstay of the ground-based component of Russia's nuclear triad and would account for no less than 80% of the SMF's arsenal by 2016.
(B) Borei-Class Sub to Join Russian Active Force
The Russian Defense Ministry is set in September to assume control of the Borei-class ballistic missile submarine Yuri Dolgoruky, RIA Novosti quoted a United Shipbuilding insider as saying on Friday (see GSN, Aug. 15).
The vessel was previously slated to join the nation's active force in July and later in August, according to prior Russian navy statements.
The United Shipbuilding source added that a new Bulava ballistic missile trial firing is slated to occur in November from the Borei-class submarine Alexander Nevsky during the ship's testing.
Russia is expected to construct eight Borei-class submarines as successors to its older Project 667 boats, according to RIA Novosti. The new vessels, once equipped with the Bulava ballistic missile, are slated to constitute the backbone of Russia's submarine-based strategic ballistic missile deterrent.
Russia's military could take custody in 2012 of the Yasen-class atomic submarine Severodvinsk, the head of Russia's navy said separately. The vessel's atomic energy system faced technical issues that threatened to prevent the step until 2013, according to previous reporting.
Vice Adm. Viktor Chirkov stated: “Yasen is undergoing tests in accordance with the program. We hope it will raise the flag this year”.
No Russian atomic submarine has evaded detection in the Gulf of Mexico for a period of weeks, the U.S. Defense Department said on Thursday in response to a recent press report.
“I don't know what that information was based on, but it was not correct,” spokeswoman Wendy Snyder said in an RIA Novosti report.
A Russian Defense Ministry official declined to address the report
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