Russia starts production of new ballistic missiles

Russia has begun producing a new generation intercontinental missile, a senior government official said on Monday, after a successful test launch.

Russia's military hailed Friday's test of the Bulava, a submarine-launched ballistic missile that can carry nuclear warheads to targets more than 8,000 km (5,000 miles) away, after a host of mishaps that had raised doubts about its future.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who oversees defense issues within the government, said another test launch would take place this year and that defense enterprises had already started large scale production of the weapon.

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