Russia to double intercontinental missile tests in 2023 - commander

Russia will double its test launches of intercontinental missiles to eight per year, from four per year in 2022. This was stated by the commander of strategic rocket forces on Friday (16 December).

Krasnaya Zvezda, a military newspaper, was informed by Sergei Karakayev that eight test flights would take place from two launch locations - one near Murmansk (north) and the other near Volgograd (south).

Karakayev stated that four launches took place in this year, according to Tass news agency. This "confirmed high reliability of missile systems".

The New START nuclear arms reduction treaty was signed in 2011 and is limited to 700 intercontinental missiles.

Karakayev mentioned in particular the launch of the nuclear-capable Sarmat missile in April from Plesetsk, northern Russia. It hit a target on Kamchatka at 6,000km (3,700miles) away.

Although the Sarmat was in development for many years, it was tested during extreme tensions, just weeks after Moscow invaded Ukraine. Now, April is its 10th month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there was no comparable missile at the time and would "strengthen combat potential of our arm forces".

Karakayev stated that the Sarmat would be the foundation for the silo-based rockets armoury in his remarks to Krasnaya Zvezda.

He said:"In the current circumstances the creation of such missile system for Russia means strengthening its strategic security."

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