Russia to test warheads this year

MOSCOW, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Russia will expand its testing of new warheads for intercontinental ballistic missiles, the commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces said Saturday.

Amid growing tensions about a U.S. plan to deploy elements of its global anti-ballistic missile defense system in Central Europe, Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov announced 2007 would see further testing of warheads for Russia’s Topol-M and Bulava missile systems, RIA Novosti reported.

"This year we will continue test and combat-training launches of new types of warheads for the Topol-M and Bulava sea-launched missile complexes," Solovtsov said in Moscow.

He said the Strategic Missile Forces will keep the U.S. system in mind while testing the missiles.

"If the U.S. proceeds with missile defense plans, despite serious opposition from people in Europe, the Strategic Missile Forces will manage to take adequate measures to counter threats to Russia," he said.