The Belgorod nuclear submarine station in the Pacific Ocean will be finished and operational by 2024.
According to a source from the Russian Pacific Fleet quoted by Russian news outlets, “Work on development of coastal infrastructure to station two special submarines with Poseidon nuclear super torpedoes in Kamchatka peninsula would be completed by early 2024.”
The Russian Far East region of Kamchatka borders the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk. The new submarines will take part in the role of “strategic deterrence,” according to the source.
This source claims that the Belgorod submarine will serve in the Pacific Ocean and can be sent to any sea in the world when necessary after undergoing state testing and commissioning.
One of Russia’s most potent superweapons, the Poseidon (Sea God) nuclear torpedo, is carried by the Belgorod, an unique submarine created by the Sevmash plant. In total, the Russian Navy will put into service 4 submarines capable of carrying Poseidon.
The Northern Fleet will be equipped on two of these, and the Pacific Fleet on the other two. The Russian Navy will have 32 super sea god torpedoes on duty, with each ship having the capacity to carry up to 8 Poseidons.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, publicly revealed the Poseidon nuclear torpedo in March 2018.
This torpedo is nuclear-powered and capable of transporting both conventional and nuclear warheads.
Russian experts have successfully conducted several Poseidon tests, demonstrating the weapon’s infinite operational potential and top speed of 200 km/h.
Igor Katasonov, Admiral of the Russian Navy, stated that Belgorod submarines with Poseidon torpedoes might assist the Navy in combating aircraft carriers and battle groups worldwide as well as demolish enemy coastal infrastructure.
Expert Mike Green of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (USA) responded to Russia’s deployment of Belgorod submarines and nuclear torpedoes to the Pacific Ocean by saying that Moscow’s plan reminds him of friction between the United States and Russia during the Cold War.
General Mike Green stated that the Russian Air Force frequently flew military aircraft to the coast of California and the area surrounding Guam in the Pacific to conduct covert missions simultaneously with the deployment of Belgorod. Russian patrol aircraft operating close to South Korean and Japanese islands increased as well.
The US Air Force recently sent out F-15 jets to Guam to intercept numerous Russian Tupolov Tu-95 bombers. According to General Mike Green, the situation in Ukraine and Crimea presents a problem for the US in the Asia-Pacific area.
Russian spy planes have witnessed American military drills in South Korea and Japan on several occasions.
“Russia has deployed military aircraft as far as California and Guam. They demonstrate military capabilities and gather intelligence,” the US general added.
