Construction of a submarine with ballistic missiles in the DPRK. Submarine for the Sea of Japan
The Navy of North Korea has one of the largest underwater fleet. In the foreseeable future, he should replenish with new military units, and some details of upcoming events are already known. The other day, the supreme commander of the DPRK Kim Jong-un visited one of the shipyards and examined the submarine under construction.
The delegation of the leadership of the DPRK in the shipbuilding plant
A visit of the country's leadership to the plant took place on July 23, as reported by the Korea Central Telegraph Agency. The report notes the special attention paid to the leadership of the construction of new ships, and its leading role. However, the Agency manages only the most general formulations and does not disclose the most interesting details.
TsTAK did not specify the type of submarine under construction and its purpose. Naturally, the characteristics of the ship, the composition of weapons, the tasks to be solved, etc. remain unknown. However, some of the information is still announced. Thus, the new ship will serve in the operational zone of the Sea of Japan and strengthen the country's defense capability. In addition, several photographs have been published, in which both the delegation and individual parts of the submarine under construction are captured.
It is obvious that for specialists and the public outside the DPRK, the most interesting are the characteristics and capabilities of the new submarine, and not the role of the country's leadership in its construction. However, this kind of information was not disclosed. All this provokes the appearance of various assumptions and versions - including fairly plausible ones. Even the available information and published photos allow you to make estimates and projections.
It should be recalled that information about the new submarine has already appeared in the open press. A few months ago, South Korean media reported on the construction of a diesel-electric submarine with ballistic missiles. It was argued that the displacement of such a ship would be at the level of 3 thousand tons, and he will be able to carry about 3-4 missiles.
For auxiliary structures visible bow end of the submarine
The photos from the TsTAK contain only views of different parts of the starboard submarine. Partly in the frame fell superstructure with deck and felling fence. Curiously, the latter has undergone retouching. Framing does not allow to determine the dimensions of the ship with acceptable accuracy. However, there are other equally interesting details.
One of the new photos shows that the bow of the boat is made vertical or with a slight inclination forward, and in its lower part a characteristic convex fairing is provided. The stern of the ship is equipped with steering surfaces and a pair of propellers in the annular canals. The cabin has a simple streamlined shape without any distinctive features.
Considering the features of the exterior of a new North Korean submarine, the American profile portal Covert Shores comes to an interesting conclusion. Its author suggests that this ship is a new version of the development of Soviet diesel-electric submarines pr. 633 (NATO code Romeo). To refer to the North Korean development code is proposed Romeo-Mod.
Covert Shores believe that we are talking about a ballistic missile submarine cruiser, in its architecture reminiscent of the early Soviet development. The Romeo Mod can carry several ballistic missiles in silo launchers. Due to the large size of the current North Korean missiles, the installation must be placed inside the hull and felling fence.
An indirect proof of this version is the felling of a relatively long length. In the 633 project and its derivatives, a smaller design was used, and the introduction of two or three launch shafts led to its processing. At the same time increased not only the fence. The hull was supplemented with a new section in the central part. Due to this, it was possible to increase the available volumes without worsening the conditions inside the ship. Also, the result of this, as follows from foreign reports, was the increase in displacement to 3 thousand tons.
View of the stern of the ship
The type of the main armament of the new submarine is unknown. It can be assumed that this is a medium-range ballistic missile "Pukkkson-1", created a few years ago and has already passed the necessary tests. Such an SLBM is equipped with solid-fuel engine stages and can carry a nuclear warhead.
Flight performance characteristics of the rocket remain the subject of controversy. So, in the first tests, the shooting was carried out at a range of about 500 km, but for this purpose the modified flight trajectory was used. According to foreign calculations, the real range of the “Pukkikson-1” product can be in the range from 1000-1200 to 2000-2500 km. In any case, it is enough to defeat the objects of the nearest probable opponents of the DPRK.
As far as is known, the North Korean industry is still unable to build a nuclear power plant for a submarine. The new ship must be equipped with a diesel-electric installation, which determines its running and fighting qualities. It is unlikely that Romeo-Mod is radically different from other options for the development of the Soviet 633 project.
Published photos show that the construction of a new submarine is nearing completion, and in the near future it will be launched into the water. Further testing and other activities will take at least several months. Thus, her service will begin in the next few years.
The emergence of a new submarine with ballistic missiles should have a great impact on the strategic nuclear forces of the DPRK. According to various sources, now in the ranks there are no more than a few diesel-electric submarines with similar weapons, which have limited characteristics. In such conditions, any new combat unit, regardless of its specific characteristics and capabilities, is necessary and useful.
Possible layout of the new submarine
The new ship may be the second well-known carrier of the newest North Korean SLBMs "Pukkson-1". The first boat with such weapons for several years continues its service and is known by the alleged name "Sinpo". With its help, several years ago, tests of a new missile were conducted, and by now, it seems that the latter has entered service.
The newest submarine to be on duty in the Sea of Japan. More distant hikes are theoretically possible, but are associated with a lot of different difficulties. In this case, the ship will be able to solve its main tasks at small distances from the Korean coast.
The main task of the boat with the SLBM will be on duty at sea in anticipation of an order to launch a rocket attack on the targets of a potential enemy. Almost all potential opponents of the DPRK are located in the same region and cannot boast of a large area of their territories. If the Pukkikson-1 rocket, according to some estimates, is capable of flying at a distance of up to 2-2,5 km, its targets can be any important objects of Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.
A new North Korean submarine could be a serious threat to nearby unfriendly countries, but it should not be overestimated. The real combat qualities of this submarine and the entire naval component of the DPRK SNF are limited by several objective factors.
Test launch SLBM "Pukkikson-1", 2016
First of all, the number of submarines and their missiles. According to various sources, the North Korean Navy has no more than 1-3 PLRB, including obsolete ones. All of them carry no more than 2-3 SLBMs with limited characteristics. Thus, submarine missile carriers are only a small, albeit a useful addition to the land-based missile forces.
The second problem is the limited tactical and technical characteristics. The submarines with medium-range missiles clearly lose the SSBNs with the ICBMs of the advanced powers. They are less effective, and in addition, they can be simple targets for the developed anti-submarine defense of the enemy.
Such problems and difficulties have an obvious solution, but it is beyond the power of the DPRK. To obtain all the desired capabilities, it is necessary to massively build modern-designed submarines with advanced weapons, showing high performance. However, as the slow construction of diesel-electric missile carriers with BRSD on board shows, Pyongyang cannot afford such projects. The appearance of each such submarine becomes a real event.
Nevertheless, even in the conditions of technical, technological and economic constraints, necessary measures are being taken, and the construction of new submarines is underway. Its pace leaves much to be desired, and the results are far from ideal. However, with all this, North Korea has the opportunity to develop the submarine fleet and provide strategic deterrence.
The delegation of the leadership of the DPRK in the shipbuilding plant
Official materials
A visit of the country's leadership to the plant took place on July 23, as reported by the Korea Central Telegraph Agency. The report notes the special attention paid to the leadership of the construction of new ships, and its leading role. However, the Agency manages only the most general formulations and does not disclose the most interesting details.
TsTAK did not specify the type of submarine under construction and its purpose. Naturally, the characteristics of the ship, the composition of weapons, the tasks to be solved, etc. remain unknown. However, some of the information is still announced. Thus, the new ship will serve in the operational zone of the Sea of Japan and strengthen the country's defense capability. In addition, several photographs have been published, in which both the delegation and individual parts of the submarine under construction are captured.
Solid assumptions
It is obvious that for specialists and the public outside the DPRK, the most interesting are the characteristics and capabilities of the new submarine, and not the role of the country's leadership in its construction. However, this kind of information was not disclosed. All this provokes the appearance of various assumptions and versions - including fairly plausible ones. Even the available information and published photos allow you to make estimates and projections.
It should be recalled that information about the new submarine has already appeared in the open press. A few months ago, South Korean media reported on the construction of a diesel-electric submarine with ballistic missiles. It was argued that the displacement of such a ship would be at the level of 3 thousand tons, and he will be able to carry about 3-4 missiles.
For auxiliary structures visible bow end of the submarine
The photos from the TsTAK contain only views of different parts of the starboard submarine. Partly in the frame fell superstructure with deck and felling fence. Curiously, the latter has undergone retouching. Framing does not allow to determine the dimensions of the ship with acceptable accuracy. However, there are other equally interesting details.
One of the new photos shows that the bow of the boat is made vertical or with a slight inclination forward, and in its lower part a characteristic convex fairing is provided. The stern of the ship is equipped with steering surfaces and a pair of propellers in the annular canals. The cabin has a simple streamlined shape without any distinctive features.
Considering the features of the exterior of a new North Korean submarine, the American profile portal Covert Shores comes to an interesting conclusion. Its author suggests that this ship is a new version of the development of Soviet diesel-electric submarines pr. 633 (NATO code Romeo). To refer to the North Korean development code is proposed Romeo-Mod.
Covert Shores believe that we are talking about a ballistic missile submarine cruiser, in its architecture reminiscent of the early Soviet development. The Romeo Mod can carry several ballistic missiles in silo launchers. Due to the large size of the current North Korean missiles, the installation must be placed inside the hull and felling fence.
An indirect proof of this version is the felling of a relatively long length. In the 633 project and its derivatives, a smaller design was used, and the introduction of two or three launch shafts led to its processing. At the same time increased not only the fence. The hull was supplemented with a new section in the central part. Due to this, it was possible to increase the available volumes without worsening the conditions inside the ship. Also, the result of this, as follows from foreign reports, was the increase in displacement to 3 thousand tons.
View of the stern of the ship
The type of the main armament of the new submarine is unknown. It can be assumed that this is a medium-range ballistic missile "Pukkkson-1", created a few years ago and has already passed the necessary tests. Such an SLBM is equipped with solid-fuel engine stages and can carry a nuclear warhead.
Flight performance characteristics of the rocket remain the subject of controversy. So, in the first tests, the shooting was carried out at a range of about 500 km, but for this purpose the modified flight trajectory was used. According to foreign calculations, the real range of the “Pukkikson-1” product can be in the range from 1000-1200 to 2000-2500 km. In any case, it is enough to defeat the objects of the nearest probable opponents of the DPRK.
As far as is known, the North Korean industry is still unable to build a nuclear power plant for a submarine. The new ship must be equipped with a diesel-electric installation, which determines its running and fighting qualities. It is unlikely that Romeo-Mod is radically different from other options for the development of the Soviet 633 project.
Published photos show that the construction of a new submarine is nearing completion, and in the near future it will be launched into the water. Further testing and other activities will take at least several months. Thus, her service will begin in the next few years.
Possible consequences
The emergence of a new submarine with ballistic missiles should have a great impact on the strategic nuclear forces of the DPRK. According to various sources, now in the ranks there are no more than a few diesel-electric submarines with similar weapons, which have limited characteristics. In such conditions, any new combat unit, regardless of its specific characteristics and capabilities, is necessary and useful.
Possible layout of the new submarine
The new ship may be the second well-known carrier of the newest North Korean SLBMs "Pukkson-1". The first boat with such weapons for several years continues its service and is known by the alleged name "Sinpo". With its help, several years ago, tests of a new missile were conducted, and by now, it seems that the latter has entered service.
The newest submarine to be on duty in the Sea of Japan. More distant hikes are theoretically possible, but are associated with a lot of different difficulties. In this case, the ship will be able to solve its main tasks at small distances from the Korean coast.
The main task of the boat with the SLBM will be on duty at sea in anticipation of an order to launch a rocket attack on the targets of a potential enemy. Almost all potential opponents of the DPRK are located in the same region and cannot boast of a large area of their territories. If the Pukkikson-1 rocket, according to some estimates, is capable of flying at a distance of up to 2-2,5 km, its targets can be any important objects of Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.
A new North Korean submarine could be a serious threat to nearby unfriendly countries, but it should not be overestimated. The real combat qualities of this submarine and the entire naval component of the DPRK SNF are limited by several objective factors.
Test launch SLBM "Pukkikson-1", 2016
First of all, the number of submarines and their missiles. According to various sources, the North Korean Navy has no more than 1-3 PLRB, including obsolete ones. All of them carry no more than 2-3 SLBMs with limited characteristics. Thus, submarine missile carriers are only a small, albeit a useful addition to the land-based missile forces.
The second problem is the limited tactical and technical characteristics. The submarines with medium-range missiles clearly lose the SSBNs with the ICBMs of the advanced powers. They are less effective, and in addition, they can be simple targets for the developed anti-submarine defense of the enemy.
Such problems and difficulties have an obvious solution, but it is beyond the power of the DPRK. To obtain all the desired capabilities, it is necessary to massively build modern-designed submarines with advanced weapons, showing high performance. However, as the slow construction of diesel-electric missile carriers with BRSD on board shows, Pyongyang cannot afford such projects. The appearance of each such submarine becomes a real event.
Nevertheless, even in the conditions of technical, technological and economic constraints, necessary measures are being taken, and the construction of new submarines is underway. Its pace leaves much to be desired, and the results are far from ideal. However, with all this, North Korea has the opportunity to develop the submarine fleet and provide strategic deterrence.
Information