Russian Strategic Forces to Test 12 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles in 2018

The Russian Defense Ministry has planned to test-fire 12 intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2018 to check on the correctness of design solutions in regard to development of advanced weapons.

The Strategic Missile Forces carried out five test missile launches in 2017, TASS quoted the Russian defense ministry press service as saying in connection with the 58th anniversary of the Strategic Missile Forces on Sunday.

"Since the establishment of the Strategic Missile Forces in 1959, more than 5,000 missiles have been test-fired, with 500 of launches taking place during military drills," the Defense Ministry’s press service pointed out.

The Strategic Missile Forces control more than two-thirds of Russia’s strategic nuclear delivery vehicles capable of hitting targets on the enemy’s territory. Around 6,000 servicemen are on duty every day.

The Strategic Missile Forces has around 400 ICBM launchers. The number of modern missile complexes will continue to grow, the Russian Defense Ministry stressed.