Russia Plans to Launch 16 ICBMs This Year

Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) plan to launch 16 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of various types this year, SMF spokesman Col. Igor Yegorov said Friday.

"A total of 16 launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles are scheduled for 2013," the spokesman said, adding that several launches would be performed to put spacecraft into orbit.

SMF chief Col. Gen. Sergei Karakayev had earlier said 11 ICBM launches were scheduled this year.

Recent Aerospace Defense Drills 'Satisfactory' - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday described as "satisfactory" the results of this week's snap check of the Aerospace Defense Forces, after hearing that nine out of 11 missiles were intercepted during the drills.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed the president of the results at a meeting in the Kremlin.

The exercises checked the combat readiness of aerospace defence units, air force units and air defences in the Western Military District, as well as military transport and long-range aviation command. It involved 8,700 people, 185 aircraft and 240 military vehicles.

"The result is satisfactory," Putin said. "Please pay attention to all the issues and problems that emerged during the exercises."

"You already reported to me during our work that the most vulnerable area, as we discussed recently with the commanders at the meetings in Sochi, is the command and communications system. Please pay particular attention to this area," the president said.

Source: RIA Novosti