Russian charged with selling missile secrets

Moscow, May 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) An employee at a Russian defence firm has been accused of passing secrets on the Bulava intercontinental missile to a foreign intelligence service.

The secrets concern the missile's guidance and control system, the Kommersant daily reported citing a law enforcement source.

"There is conclusive evidence of his guilt," the source said.

The details of the case have not been disclosed because it involves state secrets.

Experts suggest the company in question could be the Yekaterinburg-based Avtomatika Science and Production Association, which has been developing the missile's control and guidance system.

The man is due to go on trial at a court in Sverdlovsk region. The trial will take place behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the case.

The Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM), developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, carries up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 km. The three-stage ballistic missile is designed for deployment on Borey-class nuclear submarines.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

pm