MOSCOW. Aug 9 (Interfax-AVN) - Satan-type heavy missile systems are still on combat duty in two units of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, commander of the forces Nikolai Solovtsov said on Friday.
"A possibility has emerged to preserve the missiles called Satan in two units taking into account a possibility to extend heavy missiles' service lives through rearrangement of their lay- out and on-board equipment," Solovtsov told Interfax-Military News Agency. Preservation of Satan missiles in one more division is under consideration, he said.
The R-36M heavy missile system (U.S. codename SS-18, NATO codename Satan, designation in international treaties RS-20) was commissioned in 1975.
Solovtsov stressed that the extension of the missiles' combat duty term would require a lot of money.
"Of course, this is not for free. This requires expenses measuring millions of rubles. Funds for this purpose will be allocated through the State Armament Program and through other new Topol missiles," the commander said.
"The matter is under consideration. Decisions that have been made may be revised later depending on the situation," Solovtsov noted.
The Strategic Missile Forces are adopting new missile systems referred to as Topol-M (U.S. codename SS-27). Several regiments are now armed with the new missiles. The system was put on combat duty in 1997.