MOSCOW. Dec 26 (Interfax) - The tests of the Avangard intercontinental strategic missile system on Wednesday were a success, and the system will become operational in 2019, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"This test just ended, with absolute success. All the tactical and technical data have been confirmed," Putin said at a meeting with the Russian government.
"The new Avangard intercontinental strategic system will enter into service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2019. The first regiment will be deployed in the Russian Strategic Missile Forces," he said.
Putin described the tests as a great event for the military and the country as a whole.
"Russia has acquired a new type of strategic weapon," he said.
Putin said the final tests of this hypersonic system were conducted at his orders by industrial enterprises and the Defense Ministry.
Earlier on Wednesday, the ministry carried out a successful qualification flight test of the Avangard missile system with a hypersonic glider warhead. A Russian Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) crew from the Dombarovsky launch site launched a missile at a simulated target at the Kura range in the Kamchatka Territory.