First trials of the Poseidon nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drones from the Belgorod nuclear-powered submarine are scheduled for the summer of 2023, a source in defense industry has told Sputnik.
The operation of the Poseidon's reactor units will be tested first during the trials, the source added, adding that the units have already undergone bench tests, and the safety and readiness for their operation has been confirmed.
"The Poseidon reactor units themselves are ready: they have been trialed at the stands, tested, and their performance and safety have been confirmed. They are ready to work as intended," the source told Sputnik on the sidelines of the International Maritime Defense Show 2023 in the port town of Kronstadt near St. Petersburg..
Russian President Vladimir Putin first announced the development of Poseidon drones during his address to the Russian parliament in 2018.
Putin said that such sea drones could be equipped with both conventional and nuclear weapons, which allows them to hit a wide range of targets, including aircraft carrier groups, coastal fortifications, and infrastructure.