Russia Seeking To Extend Use Of Cold War Missile Stocks

Russia tested a 19-year old intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday as part of a move to prolong effectiveness of old Cold War stockpiles, the defence ministry said.

By Space War Editorial Team · Editorial process

Published December 20, 2006

Russia tested a 19-year old intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday as part of a move to prolong effectiveness of old Cold War stockpiles, the defence ministry said. The SS-18 Satan missile was launched at 11:20 am (0820 GMT) in the Orenburg region south of the Urals, successfully reaching its target in the far-eastern Kamchatka region, defence ministry spokesman Igor Kostyshin told AFP.

"The missile was made 19 years ago. The launch was aimed at testing the possibility of prolonging the use of our missile systems," he said.

The nuclear-capable missile has a maximum range of 11,000 kilometres (6,800 miles). It can deliver 10 nuclear warheads. A similar missile was last tested in 2004.

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