Vladimir Popovkin, the first deputy minister of defense, told journalists that he expects the Bulava missile will be accepted for service by the end of 2011. According to Popovkin, the flight test program will certify that the missile has the "reliability of 0.99-0.98." it was reported earlier that the program will include four to five tests.

I checked the archives - in April 2005 the Navy expected to have two submarines equipped with Bulava missiles by the end of 2006. The new estimate sounds too optimistic as well - even if the flight test program is completed successfully in 2011, the industry will need some time to manufacture the missiles. Taking all this into account, I don't think Yuri Dolgorukiy will be able to begin combat service before 2013.