国际英语新闻：Senior officer: Russia to deploy new missile in 2009

MOSCOW, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A new RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile will be deployed with Russia's Strategic Rocket Forces in 2009, Russian news agencies reported Friday, citing the commander of the forces.

    "It is expected that the Rocket Forces will get a new missile complex with RS-24 ballistic missile in 2009. The main regiment equipped with this missile... and one squadron, will be put on combat duty in the Teikovo missile unit in December 2009," Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov was quoted by Interfax as saying.

    Russia on Wednesday successfully test launched a RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile for the third time.

    Solovtsov said earlier that the RS-24 ICBM, which is to replace the older SS-18 Satan and SS-19 Stiletto missiles by 2050, would greatly strengthen the forces' strike capability, as well as that of its allies until the mid-21st century.

    The commander added that the military would carry out 13 ballistic missile launches in 2009. The Rocket Forces conducted seven launches of ballistic missiles in 2008 and postponed two launches until next year.