Will Russia’s new Khabarovsk submarine pose a new challenge to NATO? Yes. Will it pose a game-changing challenge? No.

I note this in light of the Khabarovsk‘s upcoming sea trials. Originally scheduled for the end of June, the trials have been delayed to an as-yet-undetermined date. Considering the submarine’s central role in Vladimir Putin’s strategic weapons policy, however, it will be deployed as soon as is feasible. Evincing as much, Russian officials have been gleeful in their announcements as to the submarine’s looming activity.