Russia to produce accident prone missile -Interfax

MOSCOW, Aug 5 (Reuters) Russia will start production of a submarine-based intercontinental ballistic missile after a recent successful test that followed repeated misfires, Russia's navy chief said today according to Interfax news agency.

Admiral Vladimir Masorin said Russia had decided to order the industrial production of parts for the Bulava missile after a successful launch on June 28 from the White Sea.

''After the results of this, a decision was made to start creation of the military base for the system, in other words, the serial production of parts for this new missile system,'' Masorin said.

Four out of the past six test launches since 2005 have failed, Russian media have reported.

''After every unsuccessful test a massive amount of work is carried out to find out the cause of the failure,'' Masorin said in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea fleet is based.

He added that Russia would make two more long-range tests of the Bulava this year, but he said the details were secret.

Russia has the second largest submarine fleet in the world, after the United States. The fleet is the cornerstone of its nuclear deterrent.

Bulava is a flagship project that President Vladimir Putin has said can pierce any anti-missile shield.

Bulava is designed for Russia's new-generation Borei-class (Arctic Wind) nuclear submarines. The first, long-delayed submarine of the class -- named Yuri Dolgoruky -- was launched in April but the missiles are still not ready for it.

REUTERS RSA RAI1901