Next trial of Russian troubled Bulava missile could be in Jan.

MOSCOW. December 15. KAZINFORM. The next test launch of Russia's troubled Bulava intercontinental missile could take place in January, an unidentified Defense Ministry official said on Friday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
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The latest launch of the missile, which Russia hopes will be a key element of its nuclear forces, from a submarine in the White Sea ended in failure on Wednesday. Only five of 12 Bulava launches have been officially reported as being successful.

"The exact date of the next trial has not been fixed yet, but trials will continue next year. We could still make a launch in January or in the summer, after the White Sea is already free from ice," the official said.

The official said a state commission is to analyze the whole process of developing the missile, which includes some 650 defense sector enterprises.

The Bulava, along with Topol-M land-based ballistic missiles, is expected to become the core of Russia's nuclear triad; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.

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