Russian media, citing Russian military experts, have stated, Moscow is building a naval base for its Poseidon robotic nuclear submarines. According to preliminary information, the coastal naval base for the robotic nuclear submarines should be ready by the summer of 2022.
Sources from Russia’s Defense Ministry have said, the base is necessary given Russia’s future weapons requirements. According to rear Admiral Vsevolod Khmirov, while it is only natural to build a floating quay where Russian ship docks, given technological advances, coastal defense facilities require a fresh outlook.
The Russian Ministry of Defense plans on making modern defense facilities which will facilitate training of staff and a base for launching robotic submarines. Naturally, the location of the base has not been disclosed for public dissemination.
According to a source from the Russian military-industrial complex, Moscow is in the process of developing an underwater drone called “Poseidon”. Its development was formally announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2018; Poseidon will have the ability reach speeds of up to 110 knots, around 200 km/h.
“Poseidon” will be capable of operating at a depth of over 1 km and traveling at its maximum speed in the air cavities, said a source. Its depth and speed “makes it impossible” for the enemy to defeat it.
Modern nuclear submarines have a maximum underwater speed of 30-35 knots (60 km/h) while the speed of a torpedo is around 50 knots (90 km/h).
According to other sources, the Russia’s “Shkval” torpedo system, aided by jet engine, can reach an underwater speed of 200 knots (370 km/h). Unlike Poseidon though, it operates at a shorter distance and a shallow depth.
