Russia has successfully tested its new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone, Poseidon, with President Vladimir Putin declaring the weapon “impossible to intercept.”
Key Highlights:
- About the Poseidon Drone:
- Poseidon is a nuclear-powered underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
- The recent test marked the first time the drone operated on nuclear power, which President Putin described as a major technological success.
- It reportedly outperforms existing systems in both speed and depth, offering a new dimension to Russia’s strategic deterrent capabilities.
- Technical Features:
- The nuclear reactor powering Poseidon is said to be 100 times smaller than those used on conventional submarines.
- The warhead’s explosive power is reportedly much greater than that of Russia’s Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
- Strategic Context:
- The announcement came days after Russia’s successful test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, signaling a renewed emphasis on advanced nuclear deterrence amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine.
- Russian media reports suggest Poseidon is designed to detonate near enemy coastlines, potentially unleashing a radioactive tsunami capable of devastating coastal infrastructure.
- Significance:
The Poseidon test highlights Russia’s ongoing pursuit of next-generation nuclear delivery systems, aimed at strengthening its strategic deterrence and challenging existing missile defense architectures.
Source: AIR
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