According to RIA Novosti on August 19, the Russian Northern Mechanical Manufacturing Consortium announced that the Type 09851 nuclear-powered submarine 'Khabarovsk' began its first factory navigation test on August 17 local time. This is the first time the submarine has been deployed since its construction started in 2014.
This submarine is Russia’s second specialized platform designed to carry the Poseidon nuclear-powered intercontinental unmanned underwater vehicle. The Type 09851 nuclear submarine can carry six nuclear torpedoes. The Russian Ministry of Defense has ordered three Type 09851 submarines.
Type 09851 nuclear submarine makes its first test voyage on social media
According to a report previously released by the Red Gem Central Design Bureau, the 09851-type ‘Khabarovsk’ submarine was originally scheduled to be delivered in 2020, but it has not yet undergone factory navigation tests.
The submarine “Khabarovsk” began laying its first keel on July 27, 2014. The construction process took up to 12 years. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the submarine’s hull follows a similar design pattern to that of the 955M ‘Koremlin’ class, in order to reduce construction and maintenance costs and improve stealth performance. Inside the submarine, a large launch compartment is reserved for accommodating a Poseidon missile with a diameter of about 2 meters. In addition to strategic strike missions, official documents also mention that the “Khabarovsk” will be equipped with advanced underwater robots and multi-purpose weapons, enabling it to perform various operations such as reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and ambush attacks.
After being launched into water, the vessel will first undergo mooring tests, followed by sea trials. It is expected to be delivered to the Northern Fleet in 2026.
Once commissioned, it will form part of the Russian Navy’s Poseidon combat forces, alongside the previously deployed special-purpose aircraft carrier Project 09852. This gives Russia the dual capabilities of “intercontinental underwater nuclear strike” and “carrier battle group deterrence”. It is worth mentioning that the submarine Project 09852 is a modification of the 12th ship of the Oscar II class of nuclear submarines, which were launched in 1992 for the purpose of carrying Oskar II cruise missile attack weapons. In comparison, the Project 09851 submarine is more advanced.
The submarine ‘Khabarovsk’ was launched from the construction yard on November 1, 2025, and conducted a sea trial on Monday. The contract for this submarine was originally scheduled to be delivered to the Russian Navy in 2020, but the reason for the six-year delay has not been disclosed in the reports.
