MOSCOW. July 26 (Interfax-AVN) - The Bulava sea-based intercontinental missile has been practically put into service although its testing continues, Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Viktor Chirkov said on Thursday.
"The Bulava missile system has been practically put into service. Yet every complex hardware needs adjustment, so we will continue the missile tests," Chirkov said.
"We will continue to upgrade this missile," he said in response to the question if more missile test launches were planned for this year.
Concerning tests of the nuclear-powered submarines Yuri Dolgoruky and Alexander Nevsky, Chirkov said, "The tests are done; units and mechanisms are being checked out, and documentation is being drafted."
A defense industry source told Interfax-AVN the day before that the Bulava missile and its carrier, the Yuri Dolgoruky, will be put into service by the Russian Navy after two test launches of the missile in October.