MOSCOW. Nov 30 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Strategic Missile Force are likely to be reduced again in 2005.
"The forthcoming reduction is mainly caused by the expiry of service lives of missiles currently on duty," an official of the Strategic Missile Force press service told Interfax-Military News Agency Tuesday.
"The reduction is also planned with account of the requirements of Russian leaders and the General Staff," he said.
"As a result, the Strategic Missile Force will have to prepare its assets for dismantling missiles to be taken out of service in 2004 and 2005," he added.
According to him, the new term of instruction will start in the Strategic Missile Force Wednesday, which would be a jubilee year for the Strategic Missile Force that will mark its 45 December 17, 2004.
Speaking of the 2005 plans, he specified four main approaches.
The first one is to set up and legalize further development concepts for the coming five year and form the requirements to future weapons.
The second one is to finalize the development and adoption for service of new strategic missile systems that can provide additional capabilities at the expense of better combat and maintenance characteristics.
The third one is to introduce a multi-level and overall monitoring of the real state of affairs in the Strategic Missile Force, and to assess the level of maintaining and improving the quality of combat and mobilization readiness.
"And the fourth is to ensure safe and secure operation and storing of nuclear weapons, to prevent accidents, and to maximally preserve the existing potential, primarily the missiles currently in service and with long service lives ahead," he added.