Tundra Satellite Delay Weakens Russian Missile Detection Ability

Russia’s delay in launch of its new “Tundra” advanced early warning system satellite will weaken Russian ballistic missile detection and early warning system, Russian Kommersant newspaper reported.

According to the newspaper, Tundra was to replace ageing satellites that are part of Oko program as they have already exceeded their life-span. Tundra satellites are capable of tracking tactical as well as ballistic missiles. The last two satellites (Oko) have been offline since January this year.

Tundra was scheduled to be launched in 2013 which was delayed by technical problems and was rescheduled in 2014. That deadline has also been missed. It is now being scheduled to June 2015, according to the newspaper report.

Russia’s early warning system for missile launches is at risk by the loss of geostationary satellites. Currentl;y, the loss is currently compensated by radar systems on the ground located in various regions of the country, as claimed by sources at the Russian Defense Ministry.