MOSCOW. Dec 15 (Interfax) - The Russian Strategic Rocket Forces (RVSN) will receive more than 20 Yars strategic missile systems and plans to conduct 12 training launches in 2018, RVSN Commander Col. Gen. Sergei Karakayev said.
"More than 20 launch systems of the Yars missile system in stationary and mobile variants," he said in an interview with the Defense Ministry's newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda, responding to a question as to how many launch systems troops will get in 2018.
"Five missile launches were conducted in 2017 and one more is planned, and 12 launches are planned for 2018," he said.
By 2020, the RVSN will have "fourth-generation strategic missile systems [Stiletto, Voyevoda, and Topol] and fifth-generation strategic missile systems [Topol-M, Yars, and its various modifications]," Karakayev said.
The RVSN are the main component of the Russian military's strategic nuclear forces. The RVSN are intended for nuclear deterrence of possible aggression.