(Reuters) - Russia is to double the number of test launches of its intercontinental ballistic missiles to eight in 2023 from four in 2022, the commander of strategic rocket forces was quoted as saying on Friday. In remarks reported by Tass news agency, Karakayev said four launches had taken place this year and "confirmed the high reliability of the missile systems". Karakayev cited in particular the nuclear-capable Sarmat missile which underwent its first launch in April from Plesetsk in northern Russia, hitting a target on the Kamchatka peninsula 6,000 km (3,700 miles) away. In his remarks to Krasnaya Zvezda, Karakayev said the Sarmat would form the foundation of the silo-based missiles armoury. "In the current circumstances, the creation of such a missile system for Russia means the strengthening of its strategic security," he said.
