Investigators have established that the...

But the military has insisted there is no alternative to the Bulava and said the tests of the missile would continue until it is ready to enter service with the Russian Navy.

Another defense industry source said on Tuesday that Russia could increase the number of Bulava tests in 2010 starting in May-June, and "drastically change the approach to testing procedures."

The Bulava (SS-NX-30) SLBM carries up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). The three-stage liquid and solid-propellant ballistic missile is designed for deployment on Borey class nuclear-powered submarines.

MOSCOW, January 12 (RIA Novosti)