Russia Tuesday announced a robust testing schedule for its sea-launched Bulava nuclear missile in 2009.

The tests will help determine sometime next year if the intercontinental ballistic missile will eventually be deployed aboard Russian submarines.

"Next year, we plan to hold another three or four launches, including from the nuclear submarine Yury Dolgoruky, which may be equipped with this system in the future," an unidentified high-ranking navy officer told the RIA Novosti news agency.

The weapon, which has a range of 5,000 miles and can carry 10 nuclear warheads, is already in production even though the Kremlin has not decided once and for all if they will be put into service.

The Bulava was last tested in late November. It was launched from a sub in the White Sea and struck a target in the distant Kamchatka Peninsula.

The source also told RIA Novosti the Bulava would not be deployed aboard two aging Akula-class Project 941 nuclear subs