Russian Navy's Khabarovsk nuclear submarine begins factory sea trials in White Sea

Published Aug 18, 08:36 AM UTC

On August 17, 2026, the Russian Navy's Project 09851 Khabarovsk nuclear submarine departed the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk to begin its first factory sea trials in the White Sea. This marks the at-sea testing phase for the first submarine designed specifically to carry six 2M39 Poseidon nuclear-powered autonomous underwater vehicles. The 10,000-tonne vessel, measuring approximately 135 meters in length, features two longitudinal hangars for six 2P39 launch installations. Construction began on July 27, 2014, with original delivery planned for 2020, making the program roughly six years behind schedule. The Khabarovsk differs from the earlier BS-329 Belgorod, which was reconstructed from an unfinished Project 949A hull, while Project 09851 was dimensioned around Poseidon from inception. After acceptance, the submarine is intended for the Pacific Fleet and Kamchatka, where Krasheninnikov Bay is being prepared to support these submarines.