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Topol-M Missile Regiment To Become Operational in 98

ITAR-TASS 6 Feb 98
By Mikhail Shevtsov

TATISHCHEVO, Saratov Region, February 6 (Itar-Tass) -- A regiment of up-to-date Topol-M missile systems is to become operational near here this year, Nikolai Mikhailov, First Deputy Minister of Defence, has told Itar-Tass. Thereby, ten Topol- M missiles will become operational in Russia towards the end of the year, he said.

The Topol-M is an up-to-date fourth-generation ballistic missile. A State order for these systems for 1998 is reckoned among priority tasks and is sealed in a military-budget item, Mikhailov said.

By most combat and operation characteristics this missile will have no equals in the world in the coming decade. The missile is cheaper in operation and safer than the existing missiles, Colonel- General Vladimir Nikitin, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) in charge of armament, has told Itar-Tass.

However, the rate of the phasing in of the Topol-M missile systems depends on the State Duma's ratification of the START-2 Treaty. If the latter is not ratified, Russia would have to spend funds to extend the service length of old missiles, the SS-18, in particular. One should bear it in mind that by the years 2007-2010, the existing missiles will not be able to ensure Russia's security owing to exceeding their service length, Nikitin emphasised.

The Itar-Tass correspondent has learned that in the missile division stationed near Tatishchevo, the service length of 75 out of 100 operational old missiles will expire by 1999.

In view of that, the leadership of the Defence Ministry and SMF believe that ratification of the START-2 Treaty will make it possible to concentrate funds on rendering operational up-to-date Topol-M systems. In so doing, a saving of funds can be achieved resultant of the fact that the SS-18 missile launchers, after a minor modernisation, can be converted into those for Topol-M missiles.

Mikhailov, as well as Yuri Koptev, General Director of the Russian Space Agency, and a group of State Duma members, who stayed here on Thursday, leave for Kazakhstan by air on Friday.

They are to visit the Baikonur cosmodrome and Russia-leased military firing ranges at Saryshagan and Embe.

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