Russian fleet to get adapted Topol-M

The Russian navy is to order a new solid fuel strategic submarine-launched ballistic missile for its fleet, says commander in chief Adm Vladimir Kuroedov.

The weapon will have 70% commonality with the land-based Topol M (RS-12M variant 2) missile. It will be jointly developed by Moskovsky Institut Teplotechnika and the Makeyev design bureau.

Development of the weapon could be complete by 2007-10. Its adoption means that the first Borei-class submarine, Yuri Dolgoruky, will need modifications and will be late, according to Kuroedev. Development of the latest Makeyev project, the Bark (Project 3M91) naval missile, has been cancelled after three failed test launches.

Source: Flight International