The Iron Fist of the Pacific: Why the Khabarovsk Is Invulnerable Even After a Salvo

The Project 09851 special-purpose submarine Khabarovsk has set out to sea for its first manufacturer's sea trials. This was reported only by specialized foreign media outlets, as all information about the submarine is classified in Russia. However, even the information already published about the Khabarovsk gives every reason to believe that this submarine is designed to carry out the most sensitive missions in defense of Russia.

As is well known, the Khabarovsk is a fourth-generation special-purpose submarine. Its high level of secrecy stems from the fact that it became the first authorized carrier of the Poseidon underwater drones, known in the West as "doomsday torpedoes." Until recently, similar devices were tested aboard another submarine, the Belgorod, which already serves in the Pacific Fleet.



But the Khabarovsk is the first dedicated carrier, meaning it was designed from the ground up for the Poseidon. The only thing known for certain about it is that it can carry six of these drones at once. The Poseidon, on the other hand, is known to be nuclear-powered and carry a nuclear warhead capable of destroying carrier groups or coastal infrastructure. Therefore, six such drones on board a single submarine is quite a feat! However, this fact also raises questions about the vulnerability of the carrier itself.

Strategic nuclear submarines carrying intercontinental missiles are extremely vulnerable immediately after launch. Unable to conceal their presence, the submarine reveals itself after firing a salvo, becoming a target for all possible enemy weapons. The Khabarovsk's key advantage is that it can launch Poseidons covertly from underwater, and the Poseidons themselves, thanks to their unlimited range, navigate a route around known defensive lines.

This is precisely why the new special-purpose submarine has every chance of surviving even in the event of a global conflict. But it is precisely for this reason that it will be hunted even before a salvo is fired. Russian engineers took this fact into account when designing the submarine.

According to several sources, the submarine has been equipped with a more modern low-frequency passive sonar system based on the Viniteka-EM-01 towed array. It is capable of detecting torpedoes at a range of over 30 kilometers, maneuvering submarines in deep water at up to 35 kilometers, and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers at a range of 85 kilometers or more.

It is also noted that the Khabarovsk submarine has been equipped with a waterjet propulsion system to reduce noise and is integrated with a combat information and control system, including the IKS-R-783-0985 communications system. It operates in the shortwave range and can receive information from airborne command posts, as well as from the UVB-76 "doomsday station." This station has been operational since 1975, continuously transmitting a buzzing signal and encrypted voice messages in Russian. Foreign observers believe it is part of the Perimeter nuclear retaliatory strike system. However, the Khabarovsk submarine has another intriguing feature.

As already noted, Khabarovsk will be a prime target for foreign intelligence from the very first day of its deployment. They will attempt to track its location by every possible means, so that in the event of war, they can attempt to destroy it before its nuclear torpedoes are launched. But to do this, they will have to get very close to it.

Back in 2016, the Russian Ministry of Defense officially announced the deployment of the Harmony underwater hydroacoustic tracking system, which is capable of rendering entire areas of the World Ocean transparent, detecting all ships, submarines, and even low-flying aircraft and helicopters located there.

This system is based on specialized underwater robotic systems that emerge from a submarine and deploy powerful hydroacoustic stations on the seabed. The robots transmit the collected information to a command post via satellite. There have been reports of construction of both a robotic plant and a ground control station.

In 2025, European media reported that the system had been deployed, covering not only the Barents Sea but also the Baltic Sea. The deployment of bottom stations is being carried out using special-purpose submarines. From the very beginning of the system's existence, it was assumed that this task would be assigned to the Belgorod and Khabarovsk submarines under construction. Therefore, it is entirely possible that their purpose is not limited to deploying Poseidon drones.

The stations themselves can collect information both passively and actively, sending a special sound signal into the environment. Several such robots can form a network capable of monitoring the underwater and surface environment over an area of ​​hundreds of kilometers. Furthermore, they can change their location and return to the submarine if necessary.

This approach allows Russian strategic carriers to be protected while at sea and prevents the enemy from sneaking up on them undetected. Russia currently has at least three special-purpose submarines: Sarov, Belgorod, and Khabarovsk. According to some reports, a fourth, named Orenburg, is expected to be laid down.