Ongoing tests of the submarine-launched ballistic missile, the Bulava, have slowed the deployment of Russia’s Borei Class strategic nuclear submarines.

Russian First Deputy Defence Minister Vladimir Popovkin said the deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine would not take place without the Bulava missile.

“We will have to conduct a launch from it in order to make sure that it [Bulava missile] flies toward its designated target. Once the tests conclude the missile and the Borei Class nuclear submarine would be placed into service,” he added.

The Bulava is designed to carry up to ten nuclear warheads as far as 5,000 miles and has been successful seven times of the 14 trial launches to date.

Russia is planning to deploy eight submarines armed with Bulava missiles by 2020 to deploy, according to Global Security Newswire.