North Korea commissioned its first tactical nuclear attack submarine ahead of the 75th anniversary of the country’s founding. Under the order of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, submarine No. 841, the first of its kind, joined a submarine squadron affiliated with the East Sea Fleet of the Korean People’s Army Navy. Korea and was named “Kim Kun Ok Hero”.
This submarine will play a crucial role as one of North Korea’s main means of attack. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un even personally inspected the submersible, evaluating its weapons systems and underwater operation capabilities.
North Korea’s tactical nuclear attack submarine. Credit: REUTERS.
The submarine is planned to patrol the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. This announcement comes against a backdrop of rising regional tensions and the country’s perceived need to strengthen its naval forces in response to perceived aggressive moves by its neighbors, particularly the United States and South Korea.
Although it was not specified which missiles this submarine will carry, North Korea has been testing several submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and cruise missiles that can be fired from this type of vessel. The ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads for these missiles remains an unknown.
North Korea’s tactical nuclear attack submarine. Credit: REUTERS.
Experts suggest this development could point to a navalized version of the KN23, a delivery system that North Korea previously recognized as carrying its compact nuclear warhead.
However, it remains to be determined how exactly this submarine will be equipped and what type of weapons it will carry.
2023-09-08 17:43:11
#North #Korea #expands #military #arsenal #nuclear #attack #submarine
