"Nuclear" train: Barzhusin nuclear missile system with intercontinental ballistic missiles

^{Museum BZHRK "Molodets" with three ballistic missiles}

In 2014, Russia decided to resume the production of trains with intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads as a response to the American program Fast Global Strike . The first combat railway missile system (BZHRK) of the new generation “Barguzin” is planned to be put into service in a few years , the exact dates have not yet been established.

The Soviet BZHRK Molodets with three RS-22 ballistic missiles (Scalpel according to NATO classification) was removed from service in 2005 in accordance with the START-2 treaty. 11 of the 12 complexes destroyed, the latter turned into a museum. In the light of the new geopolitical situation, the restoration of nuclear weapons becomes relevant again, especially since the START-3 Treaty does not prohibit this.
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The project has now been launched. “The design documentation has been worked out, some elements of the complex are being created,” a source in the Russian defense-industrial complex said on May 12.

Soviet BZHRK "Molodets" stood on combat duty in the Strategic Missile Forces of the Armed Forces of the USSR and Russia from 1987 to 1994. On the railways of the USSR and Russia had the symbol "train number zero."




^{BZHRK 15P961 "Well done" with an intercontinental ballistic missile 15ZH61 (RT-23 UTTH). 1987-1991 built 12 complexes. The BZHRK consists of: 1. Three minimum starting modules 2. A command module consisting of 7 cars 3. A tank-car with reserves of fuel and lubricants 4. Three diesel locomotives DM62. The minimum launcher module includes three cars: 1. Launcher control station 2. Launcher 3. Support unit. Photo: George Shuklin / Wikimedia}

BZHRK new generation surpasses its predecessor in everything. One Barguzin train will be able to carry six intercontinental ballistic missiles developed on the basis of the Yars ICBM (the Bulava land version) and will be equated with a regiment. The divisional kit will include five regiments.

All Barguzin cars will be sealed and durable, withstanding the explosion of a nuclear warhead a few hundred meters from the train. The autonomy of the train is a month. During the day Barguzin will be able to travel up to 1000 km

The Yars missiles are brought into a combat position within a few minutes. The firing range is 10 000 km, the accuracy of the hit is 100 m.


^{Lifting the launcher of an intercontinental ballistic missile on solid fuel RS-22V / SS - 24 "Scalpel" on BZHRK. Photo: Alexander Babenko / TASS}

In December 2015, a source in the Russian defense industry complex reported that, due to the difficult financial situation, the deadlines for the creation of the Barguzin were postponed for more than one year and would end no earlier than 2020. The rocket forces expect that the new complexes will remain in service at least until 2040.