In recent days, the domestic media have published a number of news about the development of the strategic missile forces, namely about the progress of the RS-26 "Rubezh" project. With reference to sources in the military department, it was reported about a new adjustment in the timing of the beginning of the service of promising missiles, as well as about some upcoming events related to existing international treaties.
On September 16, the TASS news agency, citing its source in the Ministry of Defense, reported that at the end of this year, the defense industry will begin serial production of new intercontinental ballistic missiles RS-26 "Rubezh", which will be supplied by the Strategic Missile Forces. The production of the first batch of missiles to re-equip one of the regiments will be completed next year. The first missiles of the new type will enter service with the Irkutsk Guards Missile Formation. In the future, promising missiles can be mastered by other formations of the Strategic Missile Forces.
It should be noted that the approximate dates for the start of mass production and the adoption of new missiles have been changed again. The first information on this matter appeared last summer. Then, reports appeared in the domestic press, according to which the Irkutsk Strategic Missile Forces were to receive the first new weapons. At the very end of last year, the commander-in-chief of the Strategic Missile Forces said that the RS-26 missiles would enter service in 2016. In the spring of 2015, new messages appeared: this time, the adoption of the rocket into service was scheduled for the second half of this year, and serial production was supposed to start no later than the beginning of 2016.
Complexes RS-24 at the Victory Parade. Photo Kremlin.ru
According to the latest reports, the new Rubezh missiles will go into production at the end of 2015, and in 2016 they will begin to enter one of the Strategic Missile Forces formations. Thus, despite some ambiguities and adjusting plans, the timing of the deployment of production and the start of operation have not undergone major changes. In addition, it can be assumed that it is the latest data that most fully correspond to the current plans of the Strategic Missile Forces. There are only three months left until the end of the year, so the mass production of missiles can be started in the very near future.
Before the adoption of the new ICBM into service, some special events are planned that are directly related to existing international agreements. In accordance with Article 5 of the Protocol to the START III Treaty on Inspection Activities, Russia and the United States must demonstrate to each other their new developments in the field of strategic weapons. The promising RS-26 Rubezh missile will not be an exception.
On September 21, the TASS agency, citing an unnamed source in the military department, reported that in November a group of American specialists should visit the Votkinsk machine-building plant, where ballistic missiles for the Strategic Missile Forces are being built. The purpose of this visit will be to demonstrate the latest ICBM RS-26, which is planned to be put into service in the near future. For the first time, US inspectors will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with another Russian-designed ballistic missile.
Foreign experts will be able to inspect the rocket, as well as receive some information about it. First of all, they will be explained how the new "Rubezh" differs from the previous Russian developments. Also, inspectors will be able to measure the dimensions of the rocket to confirm the data presented on paper. In addition, upon a separate request, the American side can obtain photographic materials on the new missile.
According to a TASS source, during the visit, United States inspectors will face certain restrictions. So, specialists will not be allowed to touch a promising product with their hands or take pictures using photo or video equipment, as well as various gadgets. In addition, at the Votkinsk plant, the delegations will be shown only the RS-26 rocket. The rest of the elements of the "Rubezh" complex, such as a launcher and other special equipment, will not yet be demonstrated to foreign specialists.
The visit of the American delegation to the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant will last only one day. During this time, specialists will study the product "Rubezh" and draw up all the necessary documents. It is noted that in accordance with the current START III treaty, American inspectors no longer work in Votkinsk on a permanent basis. The previous START I treaty provided for similar control measures, but the new agreement decided to abandon them.
An inspection trip of foreign specialists will allow solving some legal issues, after which the new intercontinental missile will be able to go to the troops. As already mentioned, the start of serial production of the RS-26 missiles is scheduled for the last months of this year. In 2016, this weapon will enter service with the Irkutsk Guards Missile Formation.
According to available data, the RS-26 Rubezh project is a further development of the existing family of solid-propellant ICBMs, as well as a deep modernization of the RS-24 Yars missile in service. According to various estimates, the new Rubezh differs from the Yars in a different combat equipment in the form of a multiple warhead and in some other characteristics.
The development of the "Rubezh" project was completed at the beginning of this decade, tests started in 2011. To date, five test launches have been completed, the first of which ended in an accident. The rest of the tests were successful. The last three launches at the moment, carried out at the Kapustin Yar test site for conditional targets at the Sary-Shagan test site, have become a reason for criticism and accusations from foreign states. During these launches, the missile flight range was significantly less than the 5500 km required to classify the missile as intercontinental. As a result, the United States accused Russia of creating a medium-range missile, which is contrary to one of the existing agreements.
Judging by the latest reports, the RS-26 "Rubezh" project is approaching its logical end. In the very near future, the missile will be shown to foreign partners and its serial production will begin, after which new weapons will begin to enter the troops.
