North Korea Unveils Submarine Powered by Nuclear Energy
North Korea has introduced a nuclear-powered submarine that is currently in the construction phase, sharing images of the vessel for the first time.. source:TROIB RTS
TroibNews 
North Korea has introduced its first nuclear-powered submarine, showcasing images of leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the vessel during a tour of significant shipyards.
In a report released on Saturday, state media referred to the submarine as a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.”
The undated photographs did not reveal the location of the shipyard, and the report provided limited information about the submarine, though it noted that Kim had received updates on the construction process.
Pyongyang has long aimed to incorporate nuclear-powered submarines into its fleet, striving to counter perceived military threats from the US and its regional allies.
As noted by the Nuclear Threat Initiative, North Korea possesses one of the largest submarine fleets globally, estimated to be between 70 and 90 vessels. However, many analysts contend that a significant portion of its submarines are outdated and may not be fully operational or capable of launching missiles.
In 2023, North Korea asserted that it had launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine,” a Sinpo-C class vessel said to be capable of firing ten nuclear missiles while submerged. At that time, Kim announced ambitions to produce more submarines, including a nuclear-powered one.
Last year, the nation also initiated the construction of a new “modern naval base” intended to support larger and more advanced warships and submarines projected to join the fleet in the near future.
Moon Keun-sik, a South Korean submarine expert, informed AP that the newly unveiled submarine seems to be a 6,000-ton or 7,000-ton vessel with the capacity to carry around ten missiles. He indicated that the phrasing “strategic guided missiles” in the submarine’s description likely implies that it is designed to hold nuclear-capable weapons. If deployed, he asserted, it “would be absolutely threatening to [South Korea] and the US.”
Kim’s shipyard visit occurs just days before the scheduled annual military drills between the US and South Korea, commencing on Monday. Pyongyang has consistently criticized these exercises, viewing them as rehearsals for invasion.
During his visit, Kim underscored the necessity of modernizing North Korea’s naval capabilities, describing both surface and underwater warships as essential deterrents against what he referred to as the “inveterate gunboat diplomacy of hostile forces.”
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a report released on Saturday, state media referred to the submarine as a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.”
The undated photographs did not reveal the location of the shipyard, and the report provided limited information about the submarine, though it noted that Kim had received updates on the construction process.
Pyongyang has long aimed to incorporate nuclear-powered submarines into its fleet, striving to counter perceived military threats from the US and its regional allies.
As noted by the Nuclear Threat Initiative, North Korea possesses one of the largest submarine fleets globally, estimated to be between 70 and 90 vessels. However, many analysts contend that a significant portion of its submarines are outdated and may not be fully operational or capable of launching missiles.
In 2023, North Korea asserted that it had launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine,” a Sinpo-C class vessel said to be capable of firing ten nuclear missiles while submerged. At that time, Kim announced ambitions to produce more submarines, including a nuclear-powered one.
Last year, the nation also initiated the construction of a new “modern naval base” intended to support larger and more advanced warships and submarines projected to join the fleet in the near future.
Moon Keun-sik, a South Korean submarine expert, informed AP that the newly unveiled submarine seems to be a 6,000-ton or 7,000-ton vessel with the capacity to carry around ten missiles. He indicated that the phrasing “strategic guided missiles” in the submarine’s description likely implies that it is designed to hold nuclear-capable weapons. If deployed, he asserted, it “would be absolutely threatening to [South Korea] and the US.”
Kim’s shipyard visit occurs just days before the scheduled annual military drills between the US and South Korea, commencing on Monday. Pyongyang has consistently criticized these exercises, viewing them as rehearsals for invasion.
During his visit, Kim underscored the necessity of modernizing North Korea’s naval capabilities, describing both surface and underwater warships as essential deterrents against what he referred to as the “inveterate gunboat diplomacy of hostile forces.”
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
