Russian nuclear sub test-fires ballistic missile

Russian nuclear sub test-fires ballistic missile

17.08.2005, 12.10

MOSCOW, August 17 (Itar-Tass) – A Russian nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile at 11:07, Moscow time, on Wednesday, a Defense Ministry official told Itar-Tass.

It was a scheduled launch in accordance with the combat training plan, the official said.

The missile is to hit a designated target at the Kura firing range in Kamchatka.

The Russian Navy’s North Fleet began a large exercise on Wednesday.

Naval officials reported that they had corrected the shortcomings, detected in the course of a command and staff drill last year.

In February 2004, the nuclear submarines Novomoskovsk and Karelia failed to launch three RSM-54 missiles.

President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov were watching the launching of missiles.