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Deployment of new missile hampered by lack of funds |
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October 25, 2000
MOSCOW (AP) - Lack of money has slowed deployment of Russia's Topol-M intercontinental missile, the head of the Strategic Rocket Forces said Tuesday. A new regiment armed with Topol-Ms will enter combat duty in December, but with a reduced strength of six missiles instead of 10, Gen. Vladimir Yakovlev said, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency. In the past two years, the Strategic Missile Forces have received annual batches of 10 missiles, fully equipping two regiments. Yakovlev said that funding for the Topol program has been one-third of what was planned earlier, ITAR-Tass said. The report did not cite figures. The Topol-M which carries a single nuclear warhead, was designed to replace older missiles that have outlived their service life or must be dismantled under arms control agreements with the United States. The Topol-M, a relatively small missile that can be fired from silos or mobile launch vehicles, is expected to be the backbone of Russian nuclear forces for years to come. According to earlier official statements, 40 missiles were to enter service by the year's end. Earlier this year, Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev and General Staff chief Anatoly Kvashnin publicly clashed over the funding for the military. Sergeyev argued that modernizing the nuclear forces should remain the top priority, while Kvashnin insisted more should be spent on conventional forces such as those battling independence fighters in the rebel region of Chechnya. President Vladimir Putin rebuked them for fighting openly over sensitive issues. It is unclear whether he supported either party and whether the delay in Topol-M deployment had anything to do with the dispute. |