MOSCOW. Dec 10 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Strategic Missile Force will reduce its strength by several units in 2005, Colonel General Nikolai Solovtsov, the Forces commander, told a news conference at the Interfax main office Friday.
"The Strategic Missile Forces will be reduced by a number of regiments, two divisions, namely the Kartaly division in the Chelyabinsk region and the Kostroma division of railroad-based missile systems, to be disbanded entirely," he said.
He added, however, that the structure of the Strategic Missile Forces would not change in the coming 2 or 3 years.
According to him, about 14 units and detachments of the Strategic Missile Forces were disbanded in 2004, including 5 missile regiments.
"The plans of the Strategic Missile Forces reduction are being implemented, and missile systems are taken out of service," he said.
The main cause why the missile systems are being dismantled is the fact that their service life expires, the general added.
He noted that missile regiments at Yurye, Nizhny Tagil and other divisions were disbanded, their missile systems dismantled.
He added that his forces are extending the service life of missiles operated. "However, we clearly understand that even with service life extended 2.5-3 times, the process is not infinite," he said. According to him, the main criteria of service life extension are combat readiness, reliability and security.
Solovtsov also said that a greater part of the corps of disbanded officers continue their service with the Armed Forces, and only 15-20% of them leave the army.
The Strategic Missile Forces will celebrate the 45th anniversary of foundation on December 17, with over 5,000 launches made during the period.