RUSSIA: Military to Receive 30 New Ballistic Missiles and 3 Nuclear Subs in 2010

On 12 November, RIA Novosti reported that in the President Medvedev’s address to the nation, he claimed the Armed Forces will be receiving 30 new ground and sea launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), three nuclear submarines, and other equipment. This list will also include five Iskander missile complexes, 300 modern armored vehicles, 30 helicopters, 28 aircraft, one corvette warship, and 11 spacecraft. Most of the ballistic missiles produced in 2010 will be Bulvala SLBM’s needed for Russia’s new fourth generation Borey class ballistic missile submarines. Currently Russia has one Borey in service, with another being commissioned by year’s end, it would take 36 Bulava SLBM’s to fully arm both submarines. Currently the Bulava is in test phase, having failed 6 of its 11 tests. However, another test is scheduled for 24 November 2009, and will determine if the Bulava will enter production for 2010 or be put on hold for further development.