File picture dated 1998 showing Russian Army artillerymen working at the missile launch pad during a display of the replacement of a nuclear missile by another at the Tamanskaya division, Saratov region. Photo/Copyright AFP
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File picture dated 1998 showing Russian Army artillerymen working at the missile launch pad during a display of the replacement of a nuclear missile by another at the Tamanskaya division, Saratov region. Photo/Copyright AFP |
The first launch will take place at Plessetsk cosmodrome in northwest Russia within 10 months, said a spokesman from the launch centre.
The conversion programme was drawn up by Russian manufacturer Khrunichev in cooperation with Germany's Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA).
The missiles, which would have been destroyed under the START II treaty ratified earlier this month, will enable the Russians to save about 170 million dollars. It would have cost this amount to dismantle the missiles, ITAR-TASS said.
Khrunichev, manufacturers of Russia's most powerful rocket launcher, Proton, and the space station Mir, has already received orders for 20 launches.
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SPACEWAR.COM
Russia Tests Topol ICBM
Moscow (AFP) February 9, 2000 - Russia successfully completed its tenth test firing of the Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile Wednesday, the press service of Russia's strategic missile command said.
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