Russia's new RS-24 missiles to replace old systems soon

Moscow, June 12 (UNI) Russia's Strategic Missile Forces' Commander General Nikolai Solovtsov today said the new RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) with multiple warheads will be provided to the Strategic Missile Forces very soon.

''The new RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile was developed within a relatively short period of time. It will replace within the next few years old missile systems with multiple warheads that are being taken off combat duty according to schedule,'' General Nikolai told reporters, referring to the country's latest missile, which was successfully test-fired on May 29.

RS-24 missiles will replace RS-18 missiles (Stiletto by Western classification) and RS-20 missiles (Satan by Western classification), which are capable of carrying six and ten warheads, respectively, a spokesman for the Russian Strategic Missile Forces told Interfax news agency.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces, General Yuri Baluyevsky told RIA Novosti news agency today that consultations between Russian and US military on the joint use of the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan will begin in the first week of July during the visit of President Vladimir Putin to Washington.

Putin proposed to US President George W Bush on the joint use of the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan during the recent summit of the G-8 in Heiligendamm, Germany.

''During Putin's visit, the US side will officially make public its opinion on the possibility of using the Gabala radar and its decisions,'' General Baluyevsky said.

''Putin's proposal implies annulling of all the US plans to deploy anti-ballistic missile bases in the Czech Republic and Poland,'' he said, adding ''As a military man, I have no illusions and I must calculate everything. The Defence Ministry took part in drafting the proposals that Putin made." ''Judging from reactions of US Administration officials and our military counterparts, they were thrilled by this -- in their own words. Now they will get over the shock and we will hear their official reaction, '' General Baluyevsky said.

UNI