国际英语新闻：Russia delays test-launches of troubled Bulava missiles

MOSCOW, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The next test-launches of the Bulava strategic sea-based missile will take place in the "nearest future" with no specific dates set, said Russia's Chief of General Staff Nikolai Makarov on Wednesday.

He said the launches would not happen in September, thus refuting Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov who earlier said the tests would happen in the second half of this month, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

According to Makarov, the tests will show if the entire production chain of the missile be reconsidered.

The inter-continental ballistic missile Bulava will be the basic strategic weapon based on submarines. So far seven of its 12 tests failed. The last failed test took place in December 2009.

Experts said the failures are, most likely, the consequences of a poor production control and low quality of assembly process.

Bulava with a range of 8,000 km carries multiple warheads with a yield of 150 kilotons each.