Russian Bal missile system successfully passes first firing drill in Primorye.

Russian Bal missile system successfully passes first firing drill in Primorye. (RBTH).

The Pacific Fleet's coast guard brigade has successfully used a Bal missile system in a firing drill. The system entered service with the brigade late last year, the Russian Defense Ministry has reported.

"The missile launches were carried out by over 400 personnel and involved about 20 pieces of combat and auxiliary gear," the Eastern Military District's press service said in a statement, received by Interfax-AVN on Tuesday.

"The missiles were fired at a sea target in compliance with the set standards," the statement says.

Before the launch the crew accomplished a 200-kilometer long march across Southern Primorye from its base. "The personnel deployed the system hastily at an unprepared position and launched a missile at a sea target in compliance with the set standards. Naval aircraft and controller ships involved in the firing drill confirmed that the target had been hit," the press release says.

Earlier, TASS had reported that the Bal-E CMS “consists of a self-propelled command control and communications centre, self-propelled launchers, a transport and reloader machine and communications vehicle, a total of- up to 11 special vehicles.” It added that the system “is capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 120 kilometers at any time and under any weather conditions.”

The Bal-E CMS is usually equipped with KH-35 anti-ship missiles, which have fully autonomous after-launch missile guidance. The Bal-E can single fire or conduct salvo fires of up to 32 missiles at any one time. Each Bal-E missile system is equipped with 64 missiles.