Russian Topol ICBM test launch successful
MOSCOW. June 8 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Strategic Rocket Forces (RVSN) have conducted a successful test launch of an RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Kapustin Yar range in the country's southern Astrakhan region.
"The exercise warhead of the missile hit the simulated target at the Sary-Shagan range [Kazakhstan] with projected accuracy," the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman for RVSN Col. Vadim Koval told Interfax-AVN.
This launch was intended to "confirm the stability of the main flight characteristics of these missiles with prolonged service lives, as well as to test different measurement systems for the Armed Forces and once again test the combat equipment of ICBMs," he said.
"The information received during the trial will subsequently be used to develop efficient means able to overpower missile defense shields," Koval said.
These means will then be carried by Russian ballistic missiles, he said.
The test launch has confirmed that "earlier adopted decisions were right," he said.
"The tasks of the test launch were accomplished in full," Koval said.