Russia has test fired the naval ballistic missile Bulava. It was launched from the strategic nuclear sub Dmitry Donskoy and hit its target at the Kura range in Kamchatka. It was the first successful test of the prospective weapon.

“The launch was from a submerged position and was performed as part of the state control and test programme of the weapon system. The trajectory parameters were according to normal operation mode. The warheads were delivered to the Kura range,” said deputy head of the Russian Navy, Igor Digalo.

The Bulava missile is the designated weapon for prospective Borey class submarines, which are meant to become the backbone of Russia’s nuclear deterrent fleet. It has multiple nuclear warheads and has a range of 8,000 kilometres.

Its creation has been plagued with delays and difficulties. Of the nine tests done so far, Friday’s launch was the first one deemed a complete success.

During the previous launch of Bulava in September, the missile’s warheads failed to spread and hit its targets.