Development of Russia’s new-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Kedr, will begin at the turn of 2023-2024. solid-fuel Kedr ICBMs are to replace Yars systems at the turn of 2030. Just like their predecessor, the new system will have mobile and silo-based modifications. Research work on Kedr has been financed under the current state arms procurement program, which is in effect until 2027. Technological development will begin in 2023-2024.
Russian news agency TASS has been unable to obtain an official comment from the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, which had developed Topol, Topol-M and Yars strategic missile systems currently in service with the Russian armed forces. But a source in the space industry told TASS on March 1 that Russian defense companies had launched engineering drafting work on the new-generation Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile system.
Currently, Russian strategic missile forces (Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya) are armed with Topol, Topol-M and Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles. Nuclear strategic submarines of projects 955 and 955A are armed with Bulava strategic missiles. The forces gradually adopt the Avangard hypersonic missiles. In December 2020, Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko disclosed that the Sarmat heavy missile was about to enter flight trials.
The RS-24 Yars is reported to be designed similarly to Russia’s SS-27 (Topol M) ICBM and the Bulava (SS-NX-32) SLBM. The missile is estimated to be 22.5 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter. It is believed to be fitted with a newer reentry vehicle (RV) design that will allow the RV’s to maneuver in space and during re-entry. The total launch weight of the RS-24 is assessed to be 49,000 kg and is expected to have a minimum range of 2,000 km and a maximum of 10,500 km.
