Russia to double strategic arms tests at central range in 2016 – Defense Ministry

“We plan to test approximately 160 models of different types of weapons [in 2016], which is twice as many as for this year. Tests will be conducted not only for the Russian Defense Ministry, but also for other Russian ministries and agencies,” spokesman for Strategic Missile Forces Colonel Igor Yegorov said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

The military range at Kapustin Yar, in Russia’s Astrakhan Region, will also be used to research and develop protection of military installations and hardware from adversary’s imagery intelligence and precision weapons, the Defense Ministry said in a press release. 

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The Kapustin Yar ordnance range is noteworthy due to its climate and geographical conditions, as well as solid R&D capabilities, which allow the Russian military test defensive and offensive weapons systems for all branches of the armed forces. In particular, it’s believed to be the only range to have the capacity to launch ballistic missiles and their warheads in test mode.