Putin Announces Test of Poseidon Nuclear Torpedo

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced tests of the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle equipped with a nuclear power plant, which, officials say, can travel very long distances.

The announcement was reported by Astra.

According to Putin, tests of the system took place on October 28. Following a launch from a submarine, the Poseidon prototype reportedly operated its onboard nuclear power plant for the first time to sustain propulsion along a set route underwater.

“For the first time, we managed not only to launch it from a carrier submarine with a starting engine, but also to start the nuclear power plant, on which the device operated for a certain period,” Putin said.

He described the test as a major success and said Poseidon had no analogue in the world for speed and operating depth, and that it could not be intercepted. He also claimed the weapon’s yield significantly exceeded that of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.

It is currently unclear which claims are purely Russian propaganda and which may reflect operational reality.

Poseidon

Development of Poseidon has been carried out in secrecy as part of Russia’s military modernization program. Russian statements say the vehicle can operate at great depths and over intercontinental ranges, and could carry conventional or nuclear warheads; the onboard reactor would give it an effectively extended range.

In essence, Poseidon is a large-diameter nuclear torpedo intended to deliver a warhead to coastal targets to destroy infrastructure and cause widespread damage. Russian officials have previously said the system can reach speeds above 200 km/h and operate at depths of at least 1 km. Poseidon has been tested from the special-project nuclear submarine K-329 Belgorod, which is intended to serve as a carrier.

Alleged tests of the system were first reported in November 2022, and in early 2023 Russian propaganda media announced production of an initial batch of Poseidon devices.