According to US and South Korean sources, the new North Korean submarine weighing 3,000 tons is ready to be launched. It is assumed that it will be able to carry three ballistic missiles.
The DPRK is systematically increasing the capabilities of its strategic forces. Soon, the North Korean military may get the main "argument" against the West, Japan and its southern neighbor — a new submarine with ballistic missiles.
According to the South Korean newspaper Yonhap, Seoul and US intelligence agencies believe that North Korea is ready to launch a new submarine weighing 3,000 tons. And just waiting for the right moment.
The relevant conclusions were made after the DPRK moved a barge for testing ballistic missiles at its test site to another location, which is believed to indicate the upcoming tests of a new product launched from submarines.
North Korea's new submarine (top)
Image source: hisutton
"The authorities believe that North Korea is considering the appropriate time to deploy a submarine to achieve a strategic effect, including maximum pressure on the United States," one of the sources said.
Recall that photos of the new submarine of the DPRK were presented in 2019. "The footage shown on KCNA shows only the lower hull of the submarine, near the stern and near the bow. This is enough to say with confidence that we are looking at a modified Romeo-class submarine, " Navy researcher X noted at the time. Sutton (H. I. Sutton).
Submarines of Project 633 ("Romeo" according to the NATO classification) were built in the Soviet Union in the middle of the last century. In total, from 1957 to 1961, the Krasnoe Sormovo plant produced 20 such ships. The crew of the submarine is 52 people. It can carry 14 torpedoes. At one time, it became known that several of these boats decided to use the Russian Navy as stationary training centers. According to experts, the North Korean submarine is capable of carrying three ballistic missiles.
Recall that in January, the DPRK held a parade at which it showed the Pukkykson-5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, calling them "the most powerful weapon in the world".
New ballistic missile
Image source: Reuters
And in 2019, the DPRK [...] tested the Pukkykson-3 ballistic missile, launching it from a submarine that was in an underwater position. As it was reported at the time, the missile covered 450 kilometers during the test. With a normal ballistic trajectory, experts estimate the range of the product at about 2000 kilometers.
The first test launch of the new North Korean submarine-launched ballistic missile Pukkykson-3»
Image source: KCNA
Note that the Pukkykson-3 is the second North Korean submarine-launched ballistic missile. The first such experience KNRD received after the creation of the semi-experimental "Pukkykson-1", which was launched in December 2014. In all likelihood, it was unsuccessful.
