Russia will overhaul the production and manufacturing system of the Bulava ballistic missile if the latest tests fail, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has said.

“If failures continue and their causes prove to be different, then we will have to overhaul the whole system of production and manufacture control of these missiles,” he said.

The Bulava (SS-NX-30) is a three-stage liquid and solid-propellant submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) designed for fourth-generation Borei Class submarines.

The next test launches, initially scheduled for mid-August, were repeatedly postponed and the missile has so far only achieved five successful launches in 12 tests, according to RIA Novosti.