Russian shipbuilder Sevmash has begun conducting builder's sea trials of the Russian Navy's first Project 09851 nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine (SSGN).
The future Khabarovsk was designed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau. Once in service, the submarine's armament will consist of torpedoes, anti-ship cruise missiles, and up to six Poseidon nuclear-powered autonomous torpedoes.
The future Khabarovsk will be the second Russian Navy submarine outfitted to carry Poseidon torpedoes after the 2022-built Project 949A or Oscar II-class SSGN Belgorod. However, unlike Belgorod, the Project 09851 boat was designed from the outset to be capable of launching the new torpedoes.
Few details on the Russian-developed Poseidon torpedo are readily available, though a number of public domain sources state that the weapon will be capable of contaminating coastal areas with radiation, rendering these uninhabitable.
Construction of the future Khabarovsk began in 2014. The SSGN, which had originally been scheduled for launch in 2021, was not floated out until November 2025.
Observers have noted that the builder's trials mark the first time the lead Project 09851 boat has been underway since the start of her construction.