Rhino
05-29-2007, 12:51 PM
Russia Test-Launches New Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
MOSCOW — Russia on Tuesday test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple independent warheads, and a top government official said it could penetrate any defense system, a news agency reported.
The new missile would modernize Russia's stockpile at a time of rising tensions with the West.
The ICBM was fired from a mobile launcher at the Plesetsk launch site in northwestern Russia, and its test warhead landed on target about 3,400 miles away on the Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, a statement from the Russian Strategic Missile Forces said.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said Russia would continue to improve its nuclear weapons systems and respond to U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Europe.
First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said the ICBM, as well as a tactical cruise missile that also was tested Tuesday, can penetrate any missile defense system, Russian news agencies reported.
"As of today, Russia has new (missiles) that are capable of overcoming any existing or future missile defense systems," ITAR-Tass quoted Ivanov as saying. "So in terms of defense and security, Russian can look calmly to the country's future."
Ivanov is a former defense minister seen as a potential candidate to succeed Putin in elections next year.
The U.S. has said its missile defense system is intended to deter Iran and other so-called "rogue nations."
The "United States has made clear to the Russians that this missile shield is directed at other nations that could conceivably affect the peace of Europe. We will continue to make sure that Russia fully understands our intentions," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Tuesday.....http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276014,00.html
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
MOSCOW — Russia on Tuesday test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple independent warheads, and a top government official said it could penetrate any defense system, a news agency reported.
The new missile would modernize Russia's stockpile at a time of rising tensions with the West.
The ICBM was fired from a mobile launcher at the Plesetsk launch site in northwestern Russia, and its test warhead landed on target about 3,400 miles away on the Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, a statement from the Russian Strategic Missile Forces said.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said Russia would continue to improve its nuclear weapons systems and respond to U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Europe.
First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said the ICBM, as well as a tactical cruise missile that also was tested Tuesday, can penetrate any missile defense system, Russian news agencies reported.
"As of today, Russia has new (missiles) that are capable of overcoming any existing or future missile defense systems," ITAR-Tass quoted Ivanov as saying. "So in terms of defense and security, Russian can look calmly to the country's future."
Ivanov is a former defense minister seen as a potential candidate to succeed Putin in elections next year.
The U.S. has said its missile defense system is intended to deter Iran and other so-called "rogue nations."
The "United States has made clear to the Russians that this missile shield is directed at other nations that could conceivably affect the peace of Europe. We will continue to make sure that Russia fully understands our intentions," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Tuesday.....http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276014,00.html