Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Topol-M Grows New Warheads
// After being crossed with Bulava


Excerpts on Topol-M
#msg-10467160

Apr. 14, 2006


Moscow has found a way to maintain strategic atomic parity with the United States, in spite of its massive decommissioning of outdates missiles and slow production of new ones. Director and chief designer of the Moscow Institute of Thermotechnics Yury Solomonov told journalists yesterday that Russia would have no less than 2000 nuclear warheads by 2011. The limit set in the agreement with the U.S. is 2200. Solomonov did not explain what resources would be used to create that arsenal, but it is obvious that it will not be a simple replacement of old missiles with new. In five years, Russia's 270 Topol RS12-M land-based mobile missile systems will be reduced to 36 and will be replaced at a rate of 6-9 per year.

Solomonov made several statements from which the situation becomes clearer. In particular, he stated that Moscow will provide Washington with information on a new utilization of the Bulava R-30 complex that will arm missile-bearing submarines. A new nose section for the Bulava containing six warheads will be tested in the bear future and the new version of the Bulava in expected to be in the arsenal by 2008. Solomonov added that there would be no new land-based Bulava, which would only be available “in several decades.”

Based on that information, it can be suggested that the new part for the Bulava is intended for both land- and sea-based missiles. In other words, the nose section of the sea missiles will be installed in Topol-M land-based missiles, which will dramatically increase their combat power. All Topol-M missiles now have single warheads. After more outdated missiles are decommissioned, it will be possible to put multiple warhead cones on them without violating the agreement with the Americans and thus at least partially compensate for the inefficiency of the rocket production industry.

by Ivan Safronov

http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?idr=527&id=666552