Report: Russia Plans to Deploy Submarines with Nuclear Torpedoes in Pacific Ocean by 2024

Russia is reportedly planning to complete the construction of its coastal infrastructure in the Pacific Ocean by early 2024 to base nuclear submarines carrying Poseidon nuclear-capable super torpedoes, according to TASS news agency. The torpedoes are being developed for deployment on the Belgorod and Khabarovsk nuclear submarines. The Poseidon is essentially a cross between a torpedo and a drone which can be launched from a nuclear submarine. The major upgrade of the nuclear base comes amid rising US-China tensions over influence in the Western Pacific. Putin said that Moscow is not creating a military alliance with Beijing, but both he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged closer ties, including in the military sphere, during their meeting last week.