Russian rail-mobile ICBM project set to be axed

摘要

Russia's plan to develop a new rail-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) looks set to be scrapped as budgetary constraints begin to put pressure on Russian defence procurement. Russia's strategic nuclear forces, whether land, sea, or air based, are the most sacrosanct part of the country's military and were protected from cuts during Russia's financial crash of the late 1990s. Nevertheless, Russia's deteriorating economic situation means it has trimmed its defence budget, with cuts to programmes expected to follow. This has raised the question in Moscow defence circles of whether the expected cuts will also include Russia's nuclear missile programmes.