North Korea's first diesel-electric submarine with ballistic missiles (SSB), Ship No. 841, named the Hero Kim Kun Ok, is not yet ready for operation. She was launched relatively recently, in September 2023, but satellite images of recent weeks show that her technical conversion and preparation for service are still ongoing.
The submarine was originally built as a Type 003 diesel-electric attack submarine, but in the process of retrofitting it received ballistic missiles, which significantly increases its strategic importance. Despite Pyongyang's ambitious plans, the ship has not yet set sail for a long time and has not conducted full-fledged sea trials, which indicates continuing technical and organizational difficulties.
If the modernization and retrofitting of the submarine are successful, the Hero Kim Kun Ok will become the first combat-ready carrier of submarine-launched ballistic missiles in North Korea. This will seriously expand the country's strategic deterrence capabilities and complicate the tasks for enemy anti-submarine defense systems.
Experts estimate that North Korea's first fully operational ballistic missile submarine may join the fleet within the next 6-12 months if all technical and organizational issues are resolved in a timely manner.
Technical and operational challenges
- The need to refine launchers and ballistic missile launch systems in conditions of limited resources.
- Long-term testing and fine-tuning of the control system and communication systems of the submarine.
- Crew training and working out interaction with coastal structures.
The appearance of a combat-ready ballistic missile submarine in North Korea will pose a new challenge to regional security, especially for South Korea, Japan and the United States. This could lead to increased anti-submarine measures and requirements for missile defense modernization in the region.
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