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Next launch of Bulava ballistic missile to take place this year

Latest failed launch still under investigation, results expected in two weeks
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, September 13 (Itar-Tass) - The next launch of the Bulava ballistic missile will take place later this year, Ivan Kharchenko, the first vice-chairman of the military industrial commission under the Russian government, told journalists on Friday.

“It will certainly take place this year,” Kharchenko said when asked if Bulava was going to be test fired again in 2013.

Meanwhile, investigation into causes of a recent abortive launch of the Bulava missile will take about two weeks, Ivan he said. “I think this [investigation] will take a couple of weeks,” he said, adding that there is no standard procedure for this type of incident and that the commission has not reported anything yet.

Kharchenko reminded that the Defense Minister has decided to conduct five launches of the Bulava missile to test out its technical capabilities. “I’m not sure whether all give will be conducted this year, but at least they’ll start for sure,” he said. Most likely the next launch will be done by one of three Borei-class submarines currently deployed.