Putin Takes Gamble On Misfiring Missile

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 8-6-2007 | Adrian Blomfield

[blam]

Putin takes gamble on misfiring missile

By Adrian Blomfield
Last Updated: 2:12am BST 06/08/2007

Russia’s navy yesterday vowed that its Bulava nuclear missile will be commissioned next year - despite misfiring during most of its test launches.

With president Vladimir Putin desperate to project an image of the revitalised military strength to the west, the navy has been desperate to show it has shaken off the post-Soviet malaise that gripped the Russian armed forced in the 1990’s.

But, despite a dramatic increase in defence spending, naval chiefs have been deeply embarrassed by a series of delays, mishaps and cover-ups over the production of the Bulava, which is meant to be a key component of Russia’s nuclear deterrent.

In the past two years, four out of six test launches have failed. In one case last year, claims of a successful test were exposed as false by Ivan Safronov, regarded as Russia’s best informed defence correspondent until his mysterious death this winter.

In April, the first of a new generation of Borei-class nuclear submarines was launched but what should have been a grand event was muted because the missile’s component was not ready.

The navy claims the Bulava performed satisfactorily during its last test in June. Though hardly adequate preparation, admiral Vladimir Masorin, Russia’s navy chief, said yesterday he hopes production would go ahead next year. “

We have no alternatives,” he said. “We hope that the missile will be adopted by the navy in 2008.”

With a range 6,200 miles and carrying a payload of 6 nuclear warheads at the time, the Bulava is theoretically capable of penetrating western missile defence systems.

Earlier this summer, Russia’s strategic rocket forces tested the silo-based nuclear missile that was presented as a response to Washington’s plans to direct a missile defence shield in central Europe - a proposal that has deeply upset Moscow.

The navy is seen as crucial to Mr Putin’s ambitions to extend Russia’s global reach. Moscow is hoping to stake a claim to a large area of arctic territory and last week planted a Russian flag underneath the North Pole as a signal of its determination. It also hinted it could restore a naval base in the Mediterranean for the first time since the Cold War.

[Leo Carpathian]

Russia’s navy yesterday vowed that its Bulava nuclear missile will be commissioned next year - despite misfiring during most of its test launches.

Like, they forgot to open the hatch, when somebody yelled "Fieeeeerrrrr"?

[dusttoyou]

They need to get some high tech assistance from their buddies down in iran!

Circular firing squad.

[happyathome]

“It also hinted it could restore a naval base in the Mediterranean for the first time since the Cold War”

Latakia?

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

In one case last year, claims of a successful test were exposed as false by Ivan Safronov, regarded as Russia’s best informed defence correspondent until his mysterious death this winter.

A Russian critic of Putin and/or the government dying under mysterious circumstances? That's unheard of...

</s>

[blam]

"Latakia?"

I think I read Syria.

[VeniVidiVici]

Now we know the real reason Putin doesn’t want the missle shield in Eastern Europe ;-)

[Constantine XI Palaeologus]

Latakia is a Syrian port town.

I don’t see how the Russians would really benefit from a Mediterranean military presence. The Turks control the Bosphorus, the Brits and Spaniards the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Egyptians the Suez. Since these are all nominal U.S. allies, I don’t see how this helps them project power.