North Korea has announced the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine, marking a significant advancement in its naval capabilities. The vessel, reportedly a 6,000-ton or 7,000-ton class submarine, is designed to carry approximately ten missiles. This development comes at a time when North Korea is heightening its confrontational rhetoric against the United States and South Korea, ahead of their annual military exercises.
The new submarine is a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine and represents a departure from North Korea's existing fleet of approximately 70-90 diesel-powered submarines, one of the largest in the world. Since 2016, North Korea has conducted numerous underwater-launched ballistic missile tests, all from a single 2,000-ton class submarine equipped with one launch tube. The introduction of this new submarine poses a challenge for North Korea's adversaries, as detecting underwater launches in advance becomes increasingly difficult.
Speculation arises that North Korea may have received technological assistance from Russia to develop the nuclear reactor for this submarine. In exchange, North Korea could potentially provide conventional weapons and troops to support Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. This collaboration could further complicate the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
The construction plans were presented to Kim Jong Un during his visits to major shipyards, and he expressed confidence in the capabilities of these advanced warships.
"The incomparably overwhelming warships fulfill their mission," said Kim Jong Un.
North Korea has long sought to modernize its naval forces, aiming to update both water-surface and underwater vessels concurrently. The deployment of the new submarine could take place within one to two years as part of efforts to test its operational capabilities. This aligns with North Korea's ongoing ambition to acquire sophisticated weaponry, including nuclear-powered submarines, to counter perceived threats from US-led military contingents.
