"Hero Kim Gun Ok" - the first strategic submarine missile carrier for the DPRK Navy
Management of TPK and KPA against the backdrop of the new submarine
In the near future, the naval forces of the Korean People's Army will be replenished with a new strategic combat unit. The diesel-electric ballistic missile submarine Hero Kim Gun Ok was recently launched, and now it will undergo the necessary tests. This cruiser will be the first in the DPRK Navy to have the ability to carry and use nuclear-armed ballistic missiles and will launch the construction of the naval component of the strategic nuclear forces.
In a solemn atmosphere
According to KCNA, the ceremony of launching the submarine took place on September 6 at the Ponde shipyard. The event was attended by senior leaders of the Workers' Party of Korea and the armed forces, incl. head of state Kim Jong Un. Statements were made pointing to the special capabilities of the new ship and its critical importance in ensuring national security.
The diesel-electric submarine/SSBN received the tactical number “841” and the name “Hero Kim Gun Ok” - in honor of the torpedo boat commander who carried out a successful attack on American cruisers in July 1950. By order of the Central Military Committee of the WPK, the new ship was included in one of the submarine divisions of the East Sea fleet KPA Navy. The leader of the DPRK presented this document to the commander of the unit.
The ship is taken out of the boathouse
Then, to the jubilation of the guests and ceremony participants, the submarine “841” was launched into the water. The ship was moved to the berth in preparation for future sea trials. On September 7, Kim Jong-un visited the ship, talked with the crew and got acquainted with the equipment.
It has not yet been announced how soon “Hero Kim Gun Ok” will go to sea for the first time to demonstrate its technical characteristics and combat capabilities. It is quite possible that sea trials will be carried out in compliance with the necessary secrecy, and the next time diesel-electric submarines will appear in official the news upon reaching combat readiness. However, given the importance of this ship for the DPRK fleet, one can expect a more open information policy, although without unnecessary details.
Secret development
North Korea implements all new defense projects behind closed doors, and the construction of a new submarine was no exception. Information about this ship has not previously been officially published, and there is only fragmentary information that may be related to this project. As a result, reliable information about the new ship appeared only a few days ago.
Apparently, the project for a promising SSBN was developed by North Korean shipbuilders independently, although some kind of assistance from friendly states or the use of borrowed ideas is not ruled out. The characteristic exterior of the boat speaks in favor of the latest version. The shape of most of the body is almost identical to the old Soviet project "633" developed in the mid-fifties or its Chinese licensed version "033". At the same time, there are significant innovations.
The descent has begun
In his speech at the launching ceremony, Kim Jong-un called the new ship a “standard type of tactical nuclear submarine” and indicated that the DPRK intends to rebuild all existing tactical submarines according to this project. From this we can conclude that “Hero Kim Gun Ok” was not built from scratch, and it is based on the designs of the boat Project 633 / 033 that was available to the Navy.
One way or another, the final appearance of the diesel-electric submarine “841” was shaped by Korean specialists, and their colleagues from the Ponde shipyard realized it in metal. Now the ship will have to undergo testing and confirm the correctness of all new technical solutions.
Submarine missile carrier
The Hero Kim Gun Ok is a medium to large diesel-electric submarine armed with torpedoes and missiles. Dimensions and displacement are unknown, but it can be assumed that due to the new hull elements and internal components, the Korean diesel-electric submarine is much longer and heavier than Soviet boats. Let us remind you that in Project 633 the length of the ship reached 77 m, the total displacement was more than 1700 tons.
The submarine has a durable hull of cylindrical or similar shape. Unlike Project 633, a hemispherical nasal tip is used. The contours of the stern and the layout of the units on it remained the same. The body is longer - a missile compartment has been added to its central part. It contains vertical launchers extending beyond the pressure hull. Their upper part is hidden under a new superstructure located behind the retractable device fence.
The architecture and parameters of the power plant are unknown. Probably, the general solutions of Project 633/033 are repeated, but modern units are used, incl. more powerful engines and better batteries. All this allows us to count on the growth of running characteristics, the duration of stay under water, etc.
The composition of the submarine's electronic and hydroacoustic equipment is unknown. Obviously, the SSBN “841” carries all the necessary instruments for navigation, communications, situation lighting, etc. The updated shape of the nose indicates the possible use of a modern HAK with improved characteristics.
Of greatest interest is the weapons complex. There should be 533 mm torpedo tubes in the bow, but it was not possible to see them - when the boat was launched into the water, they were covered with canvas in the colors of the national flag. In the “hump” behind the wheelhouse there are VPUs for missiles, arranged in two longitudinal rows. The presence of four shaft covers of a larger diameter and four smaller ones is clearly visible. It follows that the “Hero Kim Gun Ok” can carry missiles of two sizes or models.
It is obvious that the new Korean SSBN will carry Pukkyuksong series ballistic missiles, but the types of compatible products remain unknown. The larger-diameter launchers are likely intended for the Pukkyukson-3 medium-range SLBM with a range of about 2500 km. Also, as part of this series, a new smaller missile with half the range has been developed. For such products, six VPUs of reduced size can be intended.
Reportedly, the new SLBM will be the first carrier of nuclear-armed missiles in the KPA Navy. The range of the SLBMs used, the presence of special warheads and the specifics of the intended use make the Hero Kim Gun Ok a strategic missile cruiser.
New era
Due to the lack of complete information, it is quite difficult to assess the technical potential of the new North Korean SSBN. It can be assumed that due to the use of modern components and technologies, the submarine “841” is superior in its main technical characteristics to the old diesel-electric submarines Project 633 and 033. At the same time, it should be inferior to more advanced ships of similar classes, such as the Russian Varshavyanka.
Submarine at the pier
However, in the new DPRK project, the greatest interest is not the submarine itself, but its weapons and associated potential. Unlike all its predecessor submarines, the Hero Kim Gun Ok receives medium-range ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. This fact alone takes the submarine to a whole new level and gives it special significance for the KPA Navy.
This PLRB is called the beginning of a new era in stories armed forces of the DPRK. Indeed, the submarine kickstarts the construction of the naval component of the strategic nuclear forces. As Kim Jong-un said, in the future other diesel-electric submarines of the Korean fleet will be rebuilt according to this project. Such a process will take a lot of time, but will most seriously change the potential of submarine forces and strategic nuclear forces.
It should be recalled that at the moment the DPRK's strategic nuclear forces are represented only by ground-based missile systems of various classes and types. The newest submarine will complement them and give nuclear forces additional combat capabilities, as well as in a certain way improve their stability and combat effectiveness. The construction of new such SSBNs will also have a positive effect on the potential of strategic nuclear forces. In the absence of any plans to build an air component, submarines are of particular importance.
How exactly, at what speed and with what results the construction of new submarines will proceed is still unknown. It should be expected that the leadership and industry of the DPRK will take it seriously and will do everything possible to achieve their goals. Solving such problems will not be easy, but the result should justify all the efforts.
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