Putin’s new nuclear sub revealed: It’s a 10,000-ton behemoth carrying six ‘Doomsday’ torpedoes that could trigger a devastating radioactive tsunami. Now, experts tell FRED KELLY exactly how it could decimate Britain
Russia has begun sea trials of the Khabarovsk, a new nuclear-powered submarine designed to carry Poseidon nuclear torpedoes. The development matters because it would expand Moscow’s nuclear deterrent with an underwater weapon system intended for extreme conflict scenarios and difficult to intercept.
The article says the 135-metre, 10,000-ton vessel could carry six Poseidon torpedoes, compared with three on Russia’s existing Belgorod submarine. It reports that each torpedo has a nuclear reactor, long range and an estimated two-megaton warhead, though claims about radioactive tsunamis and Britain being rendered uninhabitable are presented as speculative and highly contested consequences of nuclear use. The submarine is being tested in the White Sea before an expected deployment to Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
- Russia is testing a submarine built to carry six Poseidon nuclear torpedoes.
- Khabarovsk would strengthen Moscow’s underwater nuclear deterrent.
- Tsunami claims describe extreme, speculative nuclear-war scenarios.
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Russia is modernising its nuclear forces, which include weapons carried by missiles, aircraft and submarines. Nuclear-powered submarines can remain at sea for long periods and are difficult to track, making them an important part of a country’s ability to respond to a nuclear attack.
The Khabarovsk is designed to carry Poseidon, a large underwater torpedo powered by a nuclear reactor and reportedly intended to carry a nuclear warhead. Russia says such systems strengthen its deterrent, while other countries view them as an additional challenge for defence and arms control.
Claims that a Poseidon weapon could create a radioactive tsunami or make whole countries uninhabitable are uncertain and disputed by experts. Any use of a nuclear weapon would nevertheless have potentially catastrophic humanitarian, environmental and political consequences.