Tests of Russia's new Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile will continue after the cause of the latest failed launch is established, local media reported on Friday.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that a Bulava missile self-destructed on Wednesday due to a malfunction during the first stage of its flight after its launch from the nuclear-powered submarine Dmitry Donskoi in the White Sea off Russia's northwest coast.
"The failed launch of the Bulava will certainly be examined thoroughly. I believe the situation with the missile is not hopeless. Such problems are unavoidable during the tests of new missiles," a source from Russia's Military-Industrial Commission told Interfax and RIA Novosti news agencies.
A commission was set up to investigate the cause of the failed test. RIA Novosti cited a security official as saying that security-related agencies could join the investigation because the incident might be the result of sabotage.
Six of the 11 test launches of the Bulava have ended in failure. A test last December failed when the missile exploded in mid-air after launch.
The Bulava, which is capable of carrying 10 individually targeted nuclear warheads and has a maximum range of 8,000 km, is designed to be deployed on Russia's newest Borei class of submarines.
The sea-based missile is expected to become a key part of the Russian military's future nuclear arsenal.
Source:Xinhua
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