Russia launches first nuclear submarine built to launch atomic drones

Russia has launched a new nuclear-powered submarine named Khabarovsk from the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Announced by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, the Khabarovsk is notable as the first submarine purpose-built to carry and launch the nuclear-capable Poseidon underwater drones, which are robotic torpedoes with reportedly unmatched speed, depth, and range. The submarine is expected to undergo sea trials before joining Russia’s Pacific Fleet and is designed to enhance Russia’s maritime security and strategic reach with a large payload capacity for Poseidon drones as well as other anti-ship and land-attack missiles. The Poseidon drone, recently tested successfully by Russia, features a compact nuclear reactor described by President Vladimir Putin as 100 times smaller than those on conventional submarines but powerful enough to deliver a warhead more destructive than Russia’s advanced Sarmat ICBM. It is claimed to travel at speeds up to 124 mph