The only serious testing that is been done recently is on the Bulava which is surrounded in a tad of controvacy as it keeps blowing itself up and those that critise the engineering behind it tend to fall out of buildings; Russians like to commit suicide when they tell the media of naval screw-ups. Trouble is of course the media won't report such tiny mishaps because they too will be doing peter pans out of tall buildings.
The missile itself is supposed to be designed to fit into a new missile sub that may or may not be built - word on the street is that it can also fit into a typhoon missile tube (hedging their bets I guess!) Anyway this sub is supposed to be on stream in 2017 long after all the other systems are rusting hulks in their silos or tubes. So far its a planners dream.
Apart from that there are no major upgrade programms because they cannot afford it. The Kremlin talks a good story and the western media laps it up.
See the problem is Rob, Russia is buggered, their engineers are not really up to it anymore, the quality of the materials is inferior etc. etc. The Bulava is a classic example of a declining military wanting to be seen as being on top of its game; rushing projects through without the engineering behind it. The last Nuclear sub launched was the Yury Dolgorukiy I think it was called, anyway this mighty piece of hardware was a patched up abortion that hasn't actually entered active service yet and is still looking for funding to make it seaworthy. By the way it was designed to carry a R-39UTTH "Bark" missile but that too was a friggin disaster and was scrapped.
You lament the lack of parity - parity of what? Technology, engineering or mega-tonnage? What is the purpose of your desire for parity, deterence or suppression? And who are you aiming to have parity with Russia, China, N. Korea, Pakistan, India, Iran, Israel, France, Britain.....all of the above.
You still haven't addressed the issue of the mission you want your nukes to undertake which will have a bearing on this parity thing.
