First Look at North Korea's Tactical Nuclear Submarine

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: People attend what North Korean state media have described as the nation's inaugural ceremony for a recently unveiled tactical nuclear attack submarine in North Korea. This image was provided by KCNA and released on September 8, 2023.6

On September 6, 2023, North Korea launched its "first operational tactical nuclear attack submarine," a significant element of Kim Jong Un's strategy to build a navy with nuclear capabilities in response to the United States and its Asian allies. 

Submarine No: 841, named after a prominent historical figure in North Korea, Hero Kim Kun Ok, was launched on Wednesday with Kim overseeing the event, as the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The news report did not specify the exact missile capacity of the submarine. However, upon examining photographs from state media, some experts indicated that the submarine seems to be an adapted version of a Soviet-era Romeo-class submarine. North Korea obtained these submarines from China during the 1970s and subsequently started domestic production. Also, it might be capable of carrying and launching up to 10 North Korean Pukgoksong-3 missiles from underwater. 

Image Attribute: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present at what state media have announced as a launch event for a fresh tactical nuclear attack submarine in North Korea. This photograph was made available by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 8, 2023.

Nevertheless, many aspects of the submarine's capabilities remain uncertain. The South Korean military noted that the submarine did not seem prepared for standard operational use and observed indications that North Korea might be attempting to overstate its capabilities.

Official photographs showed that confetti and colorful balloons served as celebration decorations for the launch. Kim was seen receiving a warm welcome from a crowd of hundreds gathered on the dock, including women dressed in traditional Korean hanbok who waved flowers and flags. As he walked along a red carpet, sailors applauded in unison, and senior officers followed closely behind.

According to state media, the Hero Kim Kun Ok, slated for deployment between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, will carry out its combat role as "one of the core underwater offensive means of the naval force." Kim emphasized that North Korea intends to transform its existing submarines into nuclear-armed attack submarines and expedite the development of nuclear-powered submarines.

Image Attribute: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present at what state media have announced as a launch event for a fresh tactical nuclear attack submarine in North Korea. This photograph was made available by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 8, 2023.

Note 1: North Korea's naval fleet currently includes approximately 20 Romeo-class submarines. These submarines are equipped with diesel-electric engines and are considered outdated according to contemporary naval standards. In many other countries, these submarines are primarily used for training due to their limited capabilities and aging technology.

Romeo-class submarines were initially designed and manufactured during the Cold War era. While they may have had their merits at the time, advancements in submarine technology have rendered them less effective in modern naval operations. As a result, many countries have retired or repurposed these submarines for non-combat roles, given their limited capacity to meet the demands of contemporary maritime warfare.

North Korea's continued operation of these submarines, albeit in a modified form as suggested by the recent launch, underscores the country's effort to maintain a naval presence and develop unconventional capabilities despite the challenges posed by their aging fleet.

Note 2: North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development is in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. The recent submarine launch has elicited strong criticism and condemnation from both South Korea and Japan. These nations and the international community are deeply concerned about North Korea's ongoing disregard for established international norms and regulations related to nuclear arms and missile technologies.

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