The Russian Defense Ministry said it successfully launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the submarine Knyaz Oleg.
The missile was test-fired from the White Sea to the Kura mountain range in Kamchatka, with its multiple warheads reaching the designated target within the estimated time, state-owned news agency TASS revealed.
“Within the framework of the program of state trials, the Knyaz Oleg strategic ballistic missile submarine fired a Bulava ballistic missile from the waters of the White Sea. The launch of the ballistic missile was performed from an underwater position to the Kura range in Kamchatka,” the military agency said.
Knyrg Oleg Submarine
A product of the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering, the Knyaz Oleg is a Borei-A class nuclear-powered submarine that carries 16 Bulava ICBMs and 533mm torpedo tubes. The ballistic missile submarine features “better acoustic stealth, maneuvering, and deep-sea running capabilities, as well as an improved armament control system” than its predecessor baseline Borei series subs.
On June 23 of this year, the CEO of United Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Sevmash Shipyard, Mikhail Budnichenko, revealed to TASS that state trials of the submarine would be conducted during the second half of this year for delivery to the navy by 2022.
An earlier report by TASS, citing a military-industrial source, revealed plans for the Knyaz Oleg to conduct an underwater missile launch test of the Bulava in November, making the recent test slightly ahead of schedule.
