MOSCOW. April 20 (Interfax) - The development of the heavy liquid intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Sarmat, which is expected to replace RS-20V Voyevoda (SS-18 Satan) missiles, is going successfully and serial production will begin by 2020, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said.
"Serial launch is planned before 2020. Serial production will begin approximately in 2018-2019," he said.
Borisov reiterated that "it will be a unique missile."
Borisov said so-called pop-up tests of the missile, in which it is popped from the silo after the activation of a powder pressure tank and flies without hitting a target, will begin in 2015.
"We plan pop-up tests this year," Borisov said.
Borisov earlier said the new missile can carry up to a ten tonne payload to any place in the world.
"It can fly both through the North Pole and through the South Pole," he said.