July 15, 2005 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News
The Russian weekly
Argumenty i Fakty recently profiled the Russian Saratov Missile Base, where the SS-27 Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile is deployed. The Topol-M represents the best in Russian ballistic missile technology, incorporating modern fuel and warhead designs, and featuring a range of 10,500 km. The Saratov base is operated by twelve regiments of the elite Strategic Missile Troops, most of whom have undergone twelve years of training (five at the university, and seven in the military). The profile also mentions the Topol-M’s much advertised ability to overcome the sort of missile defenses being deployed by the United States: “The US military have recently admitted that Topol-M has spoilt their ‘nuclear game’ and significantly reduced the efficiency of the US air [missile] defense on which billions of dollars have been spent.” An excerpt:
The Russian Strategic Missile Troops base outside Saratov is the world’s biggest. It is specially marked on NATO military maps: 12 regiments in this division can make a nuclear strike against any point on the globe.
The Russian president’s super-secret weapon - the Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile - is based with the Taman Order of the October Revolution Red Banner missile division. …
I am standing [in the photograph on p.8] on an immense metal lid, just like on a saucepan, covering a missile silo. You won’t lift it with a crowbar - it weighs more than 100 t. From above it looks like a ribbed “flying saucer”. One metre beneath my feet (terrible thought!) lie tonnes of death with electronic “brains”.
This 47-tonne and 23-metre Topol is capable of hitting a target at a range of 10,000 km. The solid-propellant rocket engine carries the missile away at breathtaking speed (for which the Americans called it “mad”), so that the enemy’s interceptors cannot bring it down.
The US military have recently admitted that Topol-M has spoilt their “nuclear game” and significantly reduced the efficiency of the US air [missile] defence on which billions of dollars have been spent.
Highly-skilled officers service the Topol missiles. This means that in terms of education our missile officers can compete with doctors of science. At least 10-12 years are needed to train a medium-level specialist for the Russian Strategic Missile Troops, including five years at a higher education establishment and at least five to seven years “finishing” in the troops. However, the psychological stability of officers who can deliver a nuclear blow against the enemy is more important than their knowledge. (Article)
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