Story perspectives

Khabarovsk Submarine Begins Sea Trials With Poseidon Drones

8/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Project 09851 submarine Khabarovsk began sea trials, deploying Poseidon nuclear drones.
Khabarovsk carries six 2P39 launchers for 2M39 Poseidon autonomous underwater drones.
Poseidon drones operate at about one-kilometer depth, travel up to 200 km/h, and reach 10,000 km.
Analysts say concentrating multiple Poseidon drones on few Khabarovsk-class subs makes Russia’s nuclear force brittle.

History

Historical Context

In 1971, the United States deployed the Poseidon SLBM aboard its Polaris-class SSBNs, dramatically extending strategic underwater strike range to 2,500 km. The Navy’s Polaris program, managed by the Department of Defense, fielded 41 missiles costing $1 billion annually, reinforcing deterrence during the Cold War. Similarly, Russia’s 2024 Khabarovsk submarine, equipped with six 2P39 launchers for 2M39 Poseidon drones capable of 10,000 km travel, mirrors the earlier push for long-range underwater weapons. This continuity suggests that advances in autonomous undersea payloads may reshape global nuclear stability, prompting renewed arms-control negotiations among NATO, the Kremlin, and Beijing.

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Story summary

The Project 09851 submarine Khabarovsk began sea trials, deploying Poseidon nuclear drones.
Khabarovsk carries six 2P39 launchers for 2M39 Poseidon autonomous underwater drones.
Poseidon drones operate at about one-kilometer depth, travel up to 200 km/h, and reach 10,000 km.
Analysts say concentrating multiple Poseidon drones on few Khabarovsk-class subs makes Russia’s nuclear force brittle.

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