Russia Postpones Bulava Missile Until Later this Year

Russia has postponed the next test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile, previously scheduled for late October, until later this year, chief of general staff General Nikolai Makarov said.

"We still need some time to analyse the results of the previous launch, but it is already clear that the missile performed well. The next test launch will be carried out later this year, but not in October," he said.

Russia had planned for two test launches of the missile, one from the Dmitry Donskoy submarine and the other from the Borey class Yury Dolgoruky before the end of 2010, according to RIA Novosti.

The missiles for the next two launches have been manufactured under the supervision of the Defence Ministry and are ready for testing, Makarov added.