Russia's Topol-M ballistic missiles will be put on combat duty on schedule despite the current global financial crisis, the commander of the Strategic Missile Forces said recently upon returning from a field inspection.

Some media reports have indicated that Russia could experience delays in the production of Topol-M (SS-27 Stalin) ICBMs due to a hike in prices for components and materials.

"I have just returned from the Teikovo missile division where the Topol-M systems are being put on combat duty and I can assure you that there are no delays there," Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov said, commenting on media rumors.

"All systems will be deployed on schedule," the general added.

Russia currently puts an average of three mobile and three or four silo-based Topol-M ballistic missile systems into operation every year.

The first two Topol-M mobile missile battalions, equipped with six road-mobile systems, have already been put on combat duty with the 54th Strategic Missile Division near the town of Teikovo, about 150 miles (240 km) northeast of Moscow.

The deployment will continue in 2009 and the division will be up to full strength by 2010, Solovtsov said.

At present, Russia deploys Topol-M ballistic missiles as the mainstay of its land-based component of the nuclear triad. As of 2008, Russia's SMF operated 48 silo-based and six mobile Topol-M missile systems.

The missile, with a range of about 7,000 miles (11,000 km), is said to be immune to any current and future U.S. missile defenses. It is capable of making evasive maneuvers to avoid a kill using terminal phase interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and decoys.

It is also shielded against radiation, electromagnetic pulse, nuclear blasts, and is designed to survive a hit from any known form of laser technology.