A new missile designed for the Iskander (NATO reporting name: SS-26 Stone) tactical ballistic missile system has been tested at the Kapustin Yar testing ground in the Astrakhan Region in south Russia, testing ground chief Major-General Oleg Kislov said.

Iskander missile system SS-26 Stone is a short range tactical missile system developed and produced in Russia.

"The completion of the interdepartmental trials of a new missile for the Iskander missile system and live-firing exercises held by air defense missile regiments rearmed with the S-400 [SA-21 Growler] air defense missile system are among the most significant events recently conducted [at the testing ground]," Kislov said.



According to him, the number of trials at Kapustin Yar testing ground has grown compared to previous years. "Active work is currently under way to upgrade the training ground’s testing facilities, build new facilities and modernize the old ones. The training ground’s measurement facility is currently undergoing upgrade," the general said.



According to Kislov, the Kapustin Yar training ground will be used to test advanced missile systems and strategic missile warheads as part of their flight development and official flight tests. "Flight tests with the use of various routes should be carried out to confirm a whole range of tactical and technical requirements set to advanced missile systems. Missiles should be launched from Plesetsk and the Barents and White Seas towards the Kura training range," Kislov added.

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