On October 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a significant announcement detailing a successful test of Poseidon, an enormous nuclear-powered torpedo. This underwater missile, lauded by Putin as 'unmatched in the world', is said to be more potent than the Sarmat ICBM.
Capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, Poseidon is often referred to as the 'Doomsday Torpedo'. But what exactly is it, and what are its specifications? Which countries are within its range? How dangerous is it? Let's delve into the details.
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Formerly known as Status-6 or Kanyon, Poseidon is Russia's autonomous underwater vehicle. Essentially a drone, it can traverse extensive distances under the sea, launched from a submarine and powered by a nuclear engine. If India possessed it and utilized it against Pakistan, it could obliterate Karachi's port and the city.
Its primary role is to strike enemy coastal areas. Russia has designed it to evade missile defense systems like those of the USA. Under development since 2015, Putin hailed its successful test as a milestone. Prior to this, Russia had tested the Burevestnik missile. Both weapons showcase Russia's nuclear prowess.
Poseidon isn't just any torpedo—it's monumental and advanced. Here are its key features...
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Length: Approximately 24 meters, as long as a large bus.
Width: 2 meters.
Weight: Around 100 tons.
Speed: Underwater at 185 kilometers per hour, too fast for conventional naval forces.
Depth: Can dive up to 1,000 meters, much deeper than ordinary torpedoes.
Range: Unlimited, powered by nuclear energy, capable of months-long sea missions exceeding 14,000 kilometers.
Warhead: 2 megaton nuclear bomb, 100 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. Can incorporate cobalt to disperse radioactive dust.
Engine: Liquid-metal-cooled nuclear reactor ensuring years of operation without refueling.
Navigation: Guided by GPS and autonomous systems.
All these combine to make Poseidon a 'super torpedo' that surpasses traditional weaponry.
Source: aajtak
The most alarming aspect of Poseidon is its range. It's intercontinental, capable of traversing continents. When launched from a Russian submarine, Poseidon can...
America: Target entire eastern and western coasts, including cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C., explicitly designed for American targets.
Europe: Threaten coastal regions of countries such as the UK, France, and Germany, including areas near London and Paris.
Asia: Cities along coasts of Japan, South Korea, and China are at risk.
Others: Major ports in countries like India and Australia also face threats.
All together, 80% of the world's coastal cities fall within its reach. Poseidon can be launched from the Arctic Ocean, reaching the Pacific. Russia plans to produce 30 such weapons.
Source: aajtak
This weapon's lethality earns it the moniker 'Doomsday Weapon'...
Nuclear Explosions: A 2-megaton bomb can devastate millions, but the real peril follows.
Radioactive Tsunami: Detonating in coastal areas could produce 500-meter high radioactive waves, submerging cities and dispersing radioactive water, rendering areas uninhabitable for years.
Cobalt Salted: With added cobalt, it becomes a dirty bomb, spreading toxic substances causing cancer and diseases, with the potential to end whole civilizations.
Tracking Challenges: Its depth and speed make it undetectable by radar or sonar, allowing it to discreetly approach targets.
Global Threat: If deployed, it wouldn't just harm a single nation but the world, destroying marine life, altering climate, and possibly leading to a nuclear winter.
Experts assert this weapon brings an alarming dimension to warfare. America and NATO are developing new technologies to counter it, yet currently, it's Russia's most formidable weapon. Putin's announcement during the Ukraine conflict serves as a global warning. However, the pressing question is whether such weapons lead to peace or destruction? Poseidon's technology exemplifies the increasing lethality of nuclear arms.
