MOSCOW. Oct 17 (Interfax-AVN) -- The Bryansk Central Repairs Plant of the Strategic Missile Force has completed cannibalization of another railway-based missile launcher, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
"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 spokesman 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 launcher was delivered to the Bryansk plant for cannibalization after its service life expired," a press service official said.
It is the third launcher of the second railway-based missile system, which means that the cannibalization plan for 2003 is fulfilled, he noted.
"Three launchers of the first railway-based missile system were cannibalized from June to August, and now the second system has been destroyed," the official said.
He stressed that cannibalization implies that only the components ensuring the strategic use of the system are destroyed.
"Dual-use components are transferred to other state authorities for further operation," the official said.
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.
"Permanent control over technological and environmental safety is maintained during the cannibalization process," the official said.