MOSCOW, November 29 (RIA Novosti) - The service life of Russia's Topol intercontinental ballistic missile could be extended to 23 years, the press office of the Russian Strategic Missile Force said Tuesday.

"The reliability estimate and the technical state indicate that the Topol service life could be extended to 23 years, given that some measures are implemented," the press office said.

The service life of Topol systems has been extended to 19 years by today.

On November 29, a Topol missile with the service life of 20 years was successfully launched at 10:44 Moscow time (07:44 GMT). "For the first time in national and world practice, a solid-fuel missile with the service life of 20 years was launched," the press office said.

If the service life of Topol missiles is extended, they will be operational until 2016-2018. This measure will allow Russia to keep the infrastructure of missile deployment areas for new mobile ground-based missile systems as it continues to commission modernized Topol-M versions according to schedule.

The Russian Strategic Missile Force also said that the service life extension could help it maintain with minimal costs the required quantity and combat capabilities of its strategic nuclear force grouping.