Russia to develop new heavy ICBM

摘要

Russia will design a new heavy liquid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), First Deputy Defence Minister Vladimir Popovkin confirmed to reporters in Votkinsk on 21 March. Popovkin stated that the new ICBM is to be designed for a service life of 35 years and would be compliant with provisions of the New START arms-control agreement. Its development is expected to be complete by 2016, allowing it to enter service and be placed on combat duty in 2018. All R-36M (SS-18 'Satan') and UR-100N (SS-19 'Stiletto') ICBMs are due to be withdrawn by 2020.