Russian RS-26 Missile Production To Begin By 2015 End

The serial production of Russia's RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) will be started at the end of this year or early 2016.

The final test launch of the ICBM was successfully carried out in March, Tass quoted an official in the military-industrial complex as saying in its report on Wednesday.

The RS-26 Rubezh missile based on the RS24 Yars is expected to be put on combat duty in 2015, the report added.

The Irkutsk division of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces is likely to receive the first land-based mobile missile systems with RS-26, it added.

The RS-26 Rubezh Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is currently under development in Russia. It is being developed by Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology. It is believed that development commenced in 2008. Flight tests began in 2012 and missile demonstrated a range of 5800 km.

This missile is intended to suppress missile defense systems in Europe. It is also intended to supplement the Russian ballistic missile fleet as a more mobile weapon system with shorter range.