Russian Strategic Missile Force to conduct 16 intercontinental ballistic missile launches in 2016 TASS 51101161

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Russian Strategic Missile Force to conduct 16 intercontinental ballistic missile launches in 2016
MOSCOW, January 11. /TASS-DEFENSE/. The Russian Strategic Missile Force has planned 16 test launches of newly fielded intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) for 2016, a Russian Defense Ministry representative told journalists on Monday, January 11, 2016.
     
MOSCOW, January 11. /TASS-DEFENSE/. The Russian Strategic Missile Force has planned 16 test launches of newly fielded intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) for 2016, a Russian Defense Ministry representative told journalists on Monday, January 11, 2016.Final trainings with formations and units of the Strategic Missile Forces after the winter training period of 2015
     
"Sixteen ICBM launches have been planned for 2015 to flight-test advanced weapons and check the technical status of the missile systems adopted for service. The number of launches is to increase this year," the spokesman said.

The service intends to hold over 100 command-post, tactical and special exercises as well, including joint ones, in 2016.

Over 40 missile regiments and support and security units will hone their high alert operating skills throughout 2016.

The Strategic Missile Force is planning to test around 160 items of combat gear at the Kapustin Yar proving ground in 2016, Dmitry Andreyev, Defense Ministry press officer for the Strategic Missile Force, said. "The tests will be in support of both the Russian Defense Ministry and other governmental bodies."

Andreyev noted that the pace of tests at the missile range has been growing over the past three years.

The test installations and ranges of Kapustin Yar are scattered throughout four regions of the Russian Federation, with their total area accounting for about 9.5 million hectares.

According to the Strategic Missile Force spokesman, the upgrade of the Neman-P test radar at the Sary Shagan missile range will be completed in 2016. The relevant equipment has been shipped to the proving ground, and its commissioning is under way.

"The modernization of the Neman-P test radar is to be completed in 2016. It is designed to boost the radar’s information capabilities, increase its operating reliability and extend its range and service life," Andreyev said. Previously, the service had planned to complete the upgrade by 2016.

The Neman-P radar had taken part in measurements during over 300 ICBM launches as part the testing of warheads and missile defense penetration aids, including those of the Pioneer (NATO reporting name: SS-20 saber) and Topol (SS-27 Sickle-B) ICBM systems. The radar also had been used in the trials of Russia’s A-135 antimissile system.
     
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