Russia and Ukraine to collaborate on RS-20 ICBM life extension

Russia and Ukraine have drawn up a draft agreement to extend the service life of the RS-20 (SS-18 'Satan') intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The system was developed in Ukraine, as was the RS-22 (SS-24 'Scalpel'). The Yangel Design Bureau - now the Yuzhnoe Design Bureau (KBYu) - developed both missiles, while manufacture was handled by Yuzhnoye NPO in Ukraine. Some RS-22s were built at the Pavlograd Mechanical Plant in Ukraine.

Last year, Colonel-General Nikolai Solovtsov, commander of the Strategic Missile Force, stated his concerns over the ageing of Russia's deployed ICBM force. But the problem with the RS-20 was that Ukraine is now an independent state, a factor that raised potential security issues if the missiles were to be refurbished with Ukrainian help.

jane's source >> www.janes.com...

some good news i guess...Russia seriously needs these ICMB's for deterrece.