MOSCOW, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia has started to develop a new type of missile amid Russia-U.S. disputes on anti-missile system deployment in central Europe, the Itar-Tass news agency reported on Saturday.

    The research work has been launched and the new generation of missile is expected to be put into service in 10 years, Itar-Tass said, quoting Deputy Long-Range Aviation Commander Anatoly Zhikharev as saying.

    The report did not give further details of the new missile.

    The Russian Strategic Missile Troops at present have six types of fourth and fifth-generation missile systems. Four are silo-based and two are mobile.

    Washington in January proposed installing parts of its anti-missile shield in central Europe, including some interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic.

    Washington said the missile defense system is not targeted at Russia, but the sensitive plans nevertheless have drawn sharp criticism from Moscow.