Overview
- Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced the launch at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, with Navy Commander Admiral Aleksandr Moiseev officiating the ceremony.
- The submarine is heading to sea trials and is slated to join the Pacific Fleet after commissioning, according to Russian statements.
- Moscow describes Khabarovsk as the first purpose-built platform for Poseidon, and reports say it can carry multiple of the autonomous torpedoes.
- President Vladimir Putin last week claimed a successful Poseidon test and activation of its nuclear power unit and asserted it cannot be intercepted, claims that remain unverified by outside parties.
- The program, with a keel laid in 2014 and an unveiling once planned for 2020, experienced delays and was launched under tight secrecy with no live broadcast and few disclosed specifications.