North Korea has unveiled what it describes as a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, which could potentially carry multiple nuclear missiles.
Key Takeaways
- North Korea has revealed what appears to be a nuclear-powered submarine, which could carry approximately 10 missiles, including nuclear warheads.
- The submarine would enable stealth launches, making it significantly harder to detect potential attacks.
- Expert Moon Keun-sik suggested North Korea may have had Russian assistance with the submarine’s development in exchange for military aid.
- The submarine could represent a major upgrade from North Korea’s outdated diesel fleet and has the potential to be operational within 1-2 years.
- This development coincides with increased anti-U.S. rhetoric from North Korea ahead of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises.
- Most information cannot be independently verified, and many analysts suggest the submarine could function more as a test platform than a fully operational system.
A Nuclear Development in East Asian Waters
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was recently photographed inspecting what state media described as the “building of a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” at a navy shipyard. The vessel, estimated to weigh between 6,000 and 7,000 tons, could represent a significant advancement in North Korea’s maritime capabilities. According to Moon Keun-sik, a former South Korean navy officer and director of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, the submarine pictured could potentially carry around 10 missiles, including those capable of delivering nuclear warheads. Moon suggests the submarine could be ready for testing within one to two years before full deployment.
Moon expressed concerns about the submarine’s potential impact, stating, “It would be absolutely threatening to us and the U.S.”
The Potential Russian Connection
A major question surrounding North Korea’s sudden advancement in submarine technology involves how the heavily sanctioned nation acquired the necessary resources and expertise. Moon Keun-sik suggested Russian involvement, indicating the country may have exchanged submarine technology for North Korean military assistance in Ukraine. This cooperation would mark a significant escalation in the relationship between the two nations, both currently facing international isolation.
The timing of this unveiling came just before U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises were set to start this week. North Korea routinely condemns these drills and has ramped up anti-American rhetoric in recent months. During his inspection of the submarine, Kim Jong Un emphasized that North Korea’s naval forces should have “incomparably overwhelming warships” to counter what he described as “gunboat diplomacy” by hostile forces.
Strategic Implications
Nuclear-powered submarines offer significant strategic advantages over conventional diesel-powered vessels. They can remain submerged for extended periods, travel greater distances without refueling, and move more quickly through water. Most importantly, they provide a nearly undetectable platform for launching nuclear weapons, creating a credible second-strike capability that complicates defensive calculations for adversaries.
Currently, North Korea operates an estimated 70 to 90 submarines, but most are outdated diesel-powered vessels limited to launching torpedoes and mines. The vast majority date back to Soviet-era designs, with limited range and capabilities. A nuclear-powered submarine would represent a quantum leap forward in North Korea’s naval power projection abilities, potentially altering the security dynamics across the entire region.
Challenges and Verification
Despite the dramatic announcement, significant questions remain about North Korea’s actual capabilities. Building and operating nuclear-powered submarines requires sophisticated engineering expertise and safety protocols. Independent verification of North Korea’s claims remains impossible, and many experts suggest the current vessel may be more of a test platform than a fully operational weapons system. The funding mechanisms for such an expensive program also remain unclear, particularly given the extensive sanctions the country faces.
Sources
- North Korea building nuclear-powered submarine with missile capability — and Russia may have helped
- North Korea Constructs Its First Ever Nuclear-Powered Submarine
- North Korea unveils construction of ‘first nuclear-powered submarine’
