Russia has just revealed the first successful test of its new "nuclear train" (or a train armed with nuclear missiles) it plans to deploy to maintain a credible strategic deterrent against the United States.

The nuclear train carries the designation "Barguzin BZhRK Project" and will replace the Soviet era Molodets BZhRK intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) missile train. BZhRK is a Russian acronym for a phrase that translates into "railway missile train" in English.

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The successful test of the Barguzin was reported by the Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation (RVSN RF), the military branch of the Russian Armed Forces that controls Russia's land-based ICBMs.

Russian sources confirmed the first launch trials were carried out at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in early November. The Russians said the Barguzin's ICBM had a successful pop-up launch test. Further flight design testing will begin in 2017.

"They were fully successful, paving the way for further flight tests," said one source.

The Barguzin ICBM might be based on a number of operational ICBMs. Among the leading candidates are the new RS-24 Yars ICBM; the RSM-56 Bulava submarine launched ballistic missile and the RS-26 Rubezh, Russia's newest ICBM that can evade anti-ballistic missiles and which is expected to become operational by 2017.

RVSN RF commander Colonel General Sergei Karakayev expects the new railway-based missile system to be ready for deployment in 2020. Gen. Krakayev said the decision to resurrect the Barguzin nuclear train was made by President Vladimir Putin.

The new-generation missile-carrying train can travel 1,000 km in 24 hours and can launch its missiles in minutes, either on the move or at rest.

Before its demise in 1991, the Soviet Union operated railway-based missile trains in addition to its silo and road-based missile systems. The Soviets had 12 nuclear trains, each equipped with three missiles carrying 10 nuclear warheads each.

After the Cold War, Russia and the U.S. signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), according to which 10 BZhRKs were destroyed. The remaining two were placed in an exhibition hall after being demilitarized.

Russian plans to form five Barguzin strategic missile regiments, each having one missile train and six ICBMs.

TagsRussia, nuclear train, Barguzin BZhRK Project, Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Sergei Karakayev, RS-24 Yars ICBM