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Russian nuclear submarine to launch Bulava ICBMs to Far East range in June — source

Borei-class submarines armed with Bulava missiles are expected to make up the mainstay of Russia’s naval strategic nuclear forces in the coming decades
Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine Lev Fedoseyev/TASS
Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine
© Lev Fedoseyev/TASS

MOSCOW, March 11. /TASS/. The Borei-class strategic nuclear submarine Vladimir Monomakh will perform a multiple launch of two Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles towards the Kura practice range in Kamchatka in June, a source in the defense and industrial sector told TASS on Friday.

"It is planned that the Vladimir Monomakh will fire two Bulava ICBMs at the beginning of summer, approximately in June, from a submerged position in the White Sea towards the Kura practice range in Kamchatka," the source said.

A source earlier told TASS that Russia’s Northern Fleet planned to perform a multiple launch of Bulava ICBMs in 2016 but didn’t specify the time of the firing exercise or the name of the submarine for the Bulava launch.

A multiple launch of two Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles was last performed by the nuclear-powered submarine Vladimir Monomakh on November 14, 2015.

The Russian Defense Ministry said at the time that "the reentry vehicles have successfully reached the Kura training range in Kamchatka."

A source in the defense industry confirmed that the nuclear submarine Vladimir Monomakh armed with 16 Bulava missiles would perform its inter-sea passage to the Pacific Fleet in August-September to join the same-series Alexander Nevsky underwater cruiser, which had arrived in Kamchatka in 2015.

According to the source, the submarine Vladimir Monomakh will receive a full weapons suite, only if the Bulava multiple launch is successful.

The Vladimir Monomakh is the third Project 955 Borei-class submarine. It was laid down in 2006 and transferred to the Navy in late 2014.

Borei-class submarines armed with Bulava missiles are expected to make up the mainstay of Russia’s naval strategic nuclear forces in the coming decades.

Overall, Russia plans to build eight Borei-class submarines, including five undersea missile cruisers under the improved Project 955A.