North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine Project
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected the construction of an 8,700-ton “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” at a domestic shipyard, signaling a significant development in the country’s naval modernization plans. The emergence of this submarine could potentially enhance North Korea’s sea-based nuclear force, impacting deterrence and crisis stability in the region.
The official imagery released by North Korean state media reveals distinctive external features of the submarine, including an elongated sail with vertical launch tube covers and a conformal sonar array. The design hints at a purpose-built strategic submarine optimized for missile carriage and acoustic systems, potentially marking a qualitative shift in North Korea’s naval capabilities.
US Navy officials note programme delays and cost issues for construction
The reported nuclear propulsion of the submarine could offer tactical advantages, such as improved survivability and enhanced operational capabilities for both strategic and conventional missions. If operational, this large missile-carrying submarine would complicate regional defense planning, requiring increased anti-submarine surveillance efforts around the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
North Korean state media reported that Kim Jong Un inspected the construction of an 8,700-ton “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” at a domestic shipyard. The vessel, if realized, could bolster North Korea’s sea-based nuclear force, potentially affecting deterrence and crisis stability in the region.
North Korea’s unveiling of a nuclear-powered submarine project signifies a significant advancement in its naval modernization plans, with potential implications for regional security dynamics. The emergence of this strategic asset underscores North Korea’s efforts to embed part of its nuclear capability at sea, necessitating a reevaluation of defense strategies in Northeast Asia.
