MOSCOW, Oct 22: Russia test-fired an intercontinental Stilet missile on Wednesday as part of the checks needed to extend the service of the weapon until 2010, the strategic missile forces said.

The missile, which belongs to a type commissioned in 1979 and known in the West as SS-19, was fired from Baikonur space centre hired by Russia in ex-Soviet Kazakhstan, the forces’ statement said. It did not specify where the missile landed.

“The results of the launch confirmed a decision to extend the exploitation time of one of the most reliable missile complexes up to 31 years,” it added.—Reuters