North Korea’s New Nuclear Missile Submarine Has Three Times the Firepower of its Predecessor - Seoul Reports
Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff
North Korean Pukkuksong-1 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile
Following North Korea’s unveiling of a newly class of indigenous ballistic missile submarine, South Korean and U.S. experts have been analysing all information available to assess the capabilities of the new platform. An assessment by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defence has concluded that the new warship will be deployed soon, and is expected to have three times the firepower of its predecessor the Gorae Class. Lee Hye Hoon, chief of the ministry’s committee tasked with assessing the new ship, stated to this effect: “The new North Korean submarine is seen as capable of carrying three SLBMs (submarine launched ballistic missiles). When we look at the pictures shared by North Korea, there are some mosaicked parts, and this part seems to be the location where the SLBM launcher is installed.” The new warship has been dubbed ‘Sinpo-C’ by South Korean analysts - after the Sinpo shipyard where it and previous North Korean ballistic missile submarines were built.
North Korea is expected to launch its new submarine shortly, and the warship will considering enhance the country’s deterrence capabilities by strengthening its second stage deterrent. It remains uncertain whether a test of the warship’s weaponry is planned, but this will be less likely if it uses the same launch system and deploys the same missiles as its predecessor the Gorae Class. North Korea’s only previously tested submarine launched ballistic missile, the Pukkuksong-1, has an estimated range of 2,500km - more than sufficient to target U.S. military bases in Guam and Hawaii from the open ocean. A number of reports have indicated that a new missile, Pukkuksong-3, could have a far longer range and be deployed by the new submarine. This would likely require further testing, and it is as of yet unclear what classes of missile ‘Sinpo-C’ was meant to deploy. However it is equipped, the platform represents a formidable addition to the Korean fleet and seriously strengthens the country’s nuclear deterrence capabilities.
