December 17, 9:41 UTC+3 MOSCOW
According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service, in 2017, the Strategic Missile Forces carried out five test missile launches
MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces plan to test-fire 12 intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2018, particularly to confirm the correctness of design solutions concerning the development of advanced weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service told TASS in connection with the 58th anniversary of the Strategic Missile Forces.
According to the press service, in 2017, the Strategic Missile Forces carried out five test missile launches.
On December 17, 1959, the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union issued an ordinance establishing the post of commander of the Missile Forces and setting up the Missile Forces’ headquarters.
"Since the establishment of the Strategic Missile Forces, more than 5,000 missiles have been test-fired, with 500 of launches taking place during military drills," the Defense Ministry’s press service pointed out.
The Strategic Missile Forces control more than two-thirds of Russia’s strategic nuclear delivery vehicles capable of hitting targets on the enemy’s territory. Around 6,000 servicemen are on duty every day.
The Strategic Missile Forces has around 400 ICBM launchers. The number of modern missile complexes will continue to grow, the Russian Defense Ministry stressed.