The newest Russian nuclear submarine "Khabarovsk" of Project 09851 is in many ways similar to the submarines of Project 955 "Borei", but was built as a carrier of nuclear torpedoes (in the terminology of the developers - unmanned underwater vehicles) "Poseidon". This is written by military expert Brandon J. Weichert in an article for The National Interest.
The special-purpose submarine was launched on November 1 at the Sevmash plant. The news caused wailing and gnashing of teeth in the Western press.
Few people wrote in the media that Russia built the "Khabarovsk" submarine against the background of the ongoing expansion of NATO to the East, Weichert noted. Moscow does not want to put up with this. "Because of this, the world is teetering on the brink of nuclear Armageddon", he stressed.
What is known about the "Khabarovsk" submarine in the West
The expert suggested that the "Khabarovsk" received an improved hull compared to the submarines of Project 955 "Borei".
The key difference of the newest submarine is the absence of compartments for ballistic missiles. Instead, launchers for the Poseidon nuclear torpedo are installed.
The author of The National Interest complained that information about the capabilities of the Russian submarine is "scarce due to the special secrecy" of the project.
It is known that the "Khabarovsk" submarine is capable of carrying several "Poseidons". The developers left torpedoes as standard weapons and, possibly, anti-ship missiles.
What can NATO oppose to "Khabarovsk"?
The unmanned underwater vehicle "Poseidon" can move in the water column at high speed. The West does not have defense systems that could stop the newest Russian weapon, Weichert noted.
It is believed that a nuclear torpedo can cause a "Doomsday tsunami". Although this statement is controversial. In addition, the accuracy, stealth and reliability of the underwater drone have not been confirmed.
Despite the advantages of the newest weapon, its carrier has a number of limitations. "Khabarovsk", like other submarines, can be detected by its acoustic signature.
Having such a submarine at its disposal, Moscow hopes to force NATO to stop expanding. But Washington has not yet caught this signal.
Read more materials on the topic:
- The "Khabarovsk" submarine was launched and equipped with the latest systems. New details
- The first photo of the newest nuclear submarine "Khabarovsk" in the Sevmash dock has appeared
- Experts: the carrier of "Poseidons", the "Khabarovsk" submarine, received a water jet propulsion unit to reduce noise