Russia launches submarine Khabarovsk made for robotic systems

Russia's new submarine Khabarovsk , which the Russian MoD said was designed to carry what it called robotic underwater systems, seen at its launch on 1 November 2025. (Russian MoD)

Russia's Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 1 November the launch of its nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk, with a ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk in northern Arkhangelsk oblast.

Designed by Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, Khabarovsk is “intended to carry out tasks for the navy using modern underwater weaponry, including robotic systems of various types”, said the MoD. On 29 October, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the developmental 2M39 Poseidon (‘Kanyon') nuclear-propelled torpedo had successfully completed a separation trial from a carrier submarine.

Describing the Khabarovsk as a “heavy nuclear missile” submarine, Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Andrey Belousov added that the vessel still had to undergo a cycle of sea trials.

Khabarovsk was first laid down in July 2014 and is reportedly based on the design of the Dolgorukiy-class ballistic missile submarines. A great deal of secrecy has surrounded the boat's development and construction, with only the stern being shown in images released by the Russian MoD. However, commercial satellite imagery taken shortly after Khabarovsk was rolled out reveals a submarine approximately 136 m in length and of conventional design, although the bow is covered by a tarpaulin.

In addition to Belousov, the event was attended by Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, commander-in-chief of the navy; Andrey Puchkov, general director of the United Shipbuilding Corporation; and Mikhail Budnichenko, general director of joint-stock company (JSC) PO Sevmash.

Belousov also inspected the progress of repairs and modernisation of what the MoD described as “strategic missile carriers and multi-purpose nuclear submarines” at the Zvezdochka ship repair centre.