Russia presents info on missile US says violates pact

The Russian military on Wednesday rolled out its new missile and spelled out its specifications, seeking to dispel the U.S. claim that the weapon violates a key nuclear arms pact.

The military insisted that the 9M729 land-based cruise missile conforms to the limits of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

The U.S. has announced its intention to abandon the INF, charging that the new Russian missile violates provisions of the pact that ban production, testing and deployment of land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres.

Washington said it will suspend its treaty obligations if Russian does not come into compliance by February 2.

Lt. Gen. Mikhail Matveevsky, the chief of the military's missile and artillery forces, said at a meeting with foreign military attaches that the new missile has a maximum range of 480 kilometres.

He said that the 9M729 missile differs from the previous 9M728 model by having a modified warhead and guidance system that enhances its capability.

The military then displayed the weapon along with its mobile launcher during a presentation at its exhibition center near Moscow.

Matveevsky insisted that the new missile's booster, cruising engine and fuel tank remain unchanged.

He added that the new missile actually has a range 10 kilometres less than the older type due to heavier warhead and control systems.

Matveevsky emphasised that the new missile can't be modified in field conditions.

The Russian general said that the modified mobile launcher for the new type of missile is bigger because it carries four of them rather than the previous two.

Matveevsky added that the military gave the presentation to underline its "increased transparency and our adherence to the INF Treaty."