MOSCOW, May 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia will continue to optimize its Strategic Missile Troops in the next five years in order to reduce the number of warheads to 1700-2200, Itar-Tass quoted Col.-Gen Nikolai Solovtsov as reporting Thursday.

    "We will continue the optimization of the Missile Troops in thenext five years in order to reduce the number of warheads to 1700-2200 as it is stipulated under the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty," Solovtsov said.

    According to the Treaty signed by Russia and the United Statesin Moscow on May 24, 2002, the two countries decided to reduce drastically their nuclear arsenal and to act in such a way that the final ceilings of operationally deployed warheads would not exceed 1700/2200 at the end of the disarmament process.

    At present both sides have about 6,000 warheads," Solovtsov said. He said that missile systems that expired their service life will be disposed. Meanwhile, according to the commander, the Strategic Missile Troops will remain the most combat-ready part of the strategic nuclear forces.

    "90 percent of launching sites are in combat state in the Strategic Missile Troops," he added. Enditem