Global Security Newswire, with comments by NPSGlobal, 20 Dec 2011.

Russia on Tuesday conducted a trial flight of a short-range missile interceptor, ITAR-Tass reported (see GSN, Oct. 30, 2007).

The test launch occurred just after noon Moscow time at the Sary-Shagan weapons range in Kazakhstan, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Russian strategic missile forces conducted the test in cooperation with military-space defense troops and defense industry officials.

"The purpose of the launch is to confirm the tactical and technical performance characteristics of interceptor missiles of the missile defense system, which are in service with Russia's military-space defense," according to the ministry (ITAR-Tass, Dec. 20).

These tests are performed at a time of tension between Russia and NATO, due to the missile defense system being installed by the later. Russia demands a lack of consultation from the West as it feels threatened by the shield.

Further Reading:

- NPSGlobal: NATO, Russian deadlock over missile defense hard to break

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