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Strategic missiles

Russia

Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology

RSM-56 Bulava

Russian submarine-launched ballistic missile carried by Borei-class SSBNs, formally adopted into service in 2018.

In service since 2013

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-03

Several performance figures for Russia-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Russian state channel

Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.

Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)

Fielded & proven

Operator data not public

In service since 2013. Status: active.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Overview

The Bulava is the primary sea-based deterrent missile for Russia's Borei-class ballistic-missile submarines. Caveat: figures are state-claimed or Western-estimated.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Performance specifications
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.	9,300 km Stronger than 17% of its class

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Firepower specifications
Weapons payload Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie.	1,150 kg
Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable.	6 MIRV (approximately 100-150 kt each)
Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.	Inertial, Astro-inertial, GLONASS

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Physical specifications
Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.	11.5 m
Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles.	2 m
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.	36,800 kg

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Propulsion specifications
Engine Powerplant model and type.	Three-stage solid-fuel with liquid-propellant post-boost stage
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…	3-stage solid

Specifications compiled from public Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-03.

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