MOSCOW. Oct 13 (Interfax-AVN) -- The Bryansk Central Repairs Plant of the Strategic Missile Force has begun cannibalizing another railway-based missile launcher, a competent source in the Defense Ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency Monday.
"The facilities for the cannibalization of railway-based missile launchers that have lived out the established terms were built at the Bryansk Plant in accordance with the START Treaty and with U.S. participation. The cannibalization of the first launcher began in May this year," the source said.
The launchers' service lives have expired, and they are delivered to the plant for cannibalization after the missiles are unloaded, he noted.
"Cannibalization of the third launcher of the second railway- based missile system started on Monday, and the procedures related to the railway-based launcher's destruction will be over and a report on its cannibalization will be signed before October 17," the source said.
The press service of the Strategic Missile Force has confirmed the cannibalization of another railway-based missile launcher at the Bryansk Central Repairs Plant.
The cannibalization goes in line with procedures written into the START Treaty and under control of U.S. inspectors. The Strategic Missile Force's center for treaties implementation support is backing up the cannibalization process.
It is the sixth launcher that has put up for cannibalization this year. The plan for 2003 provides for cannibalizing six railway-based missile launchers.
Cannibalization implies that only the components ensuring the strategic use of the system are destroyed. Dual-use components will be transferred to other state authorities for further operation, the press service said.