Russia acknowledges Bulava missile in service

MOSCOW - The Russian Navy has already put in service the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile, the Navy Chief Commander said Monday.

"Bulava missile has been put in navy service de facto, now the paperwork is in progress," Vice Admiral Victor Chirkov told reporters.

The navy would put on duty strategic nuclear submarine of Project 955 Borei class, Yuri Dolgoruky before July 29, Chirkov said, adding that the fourth-generation 170-meter-long submarine can carry 16 Bulava ICBMs with the range of 8,000 km.

As Russia's most advanced three-stage solid fuel missile, Bulava could carry up to 10 hypersonic individually guided maneuverable warheads.

Russian forces had tested the Bulava missile 18 times prior to the decision to put it on duty. Seven out of these test failed.