North Korea has taken a significant step in its military advancement by unveiling what it calls a nuclear-powered submarine for the first time. This development has raised serious security concerns among South Korea and the United States, as it signifies Pyongyang’s growing capabilities in deploying strategic weapons.
The revelation, made through state media on Saturday, marks another milestone in Country’s persistent efforts to modernize its military forces. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released photographs showcasing the submarine, calling it a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.”
However, the agency did not provide specific details about the vessel’s capabilities or technical specifications. This article delves into the implications of this development, the potential foreign assistance involved, and North Korea’s evolving naval capabilities.
Implications of North Korea’s Nuclear-Powered Submarine
The unveiling of this nuclear-powered submarine is a significant move for Country, a nation that has long sought to enhance its military strength despite facing international sanctions and economic hardships.
Experts estimate that the newly revealed submarine could be between 6,000 to 7,000 tons and capable of carrying approximately ten missiles. The term “strategic guided missiles” strongly suggests that these weapons could be nuclear-capable, posing a substantial threat to regional and global security.
For decades, North Korea has been pursuing the development of advanced military technologies, including solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles.
The introduction of a nuclear-powered submarine aligns with Kim Jong Un’s 2021 pledge to strengthen the country’s military arsenal in response to what he describes as increasing U.S.-led military threats.
If Country succeeds in operationalizing this submarine, it would gain a significant strategic advantage, as underwater missile launch capabilities are harder to detect compared to land-based systems.
Read : South Korea Military Jet Accidentally Dropped Eight Bombs in Pocheon
A nuclear-powered submarine grants greater endurance and stealth capabilities compared to diesel-electric submarines. Unlike traditional diesel-powered vessels that require frequent surfacing to recharge their batteries, nuclear submarines can remain submerged for extended periods, making them harder to track.
North Korea unveils nuclear submarine under construction for first time
— Sprinter Observer (@SprinterObserve) March 8, 2025
The new submarine is expected to have a displacement of up to 7,000 tons and carry about 10 ballistic missiles. pic.twitter.com/zzANNN1Jiv
This could allow Country to launch missile strikes from positions that are difficult to detect, further complicating defense strategies for the U.S. and South Korea.
Possible Foreign Assistance in Submarine Development
One of the biggest questions surrounding North Korea’s new submarine is how the country, heavily sanctioned and economically strained, managed to acquire the resources and technology necessary for such an advanced naval project.
Some experts speculate that North Korea may have received assistance from Russia in exchange for supplying conventional weapons and even troops to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. Given the technological complexity of nuclear propulsion systems, acquiring the necessary expertise domestically would be a major challenge for North Korea.
Historically, Pyongyang has relied on external support to advance its military technology. In past decades, North Korea has been known to collaborate with other nations, including China and Russia, for military hardware and technical knowledge.
If confirmed, Russian assistance in developing a nuclear reactor for submarine use would indicate deeper strategic ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, potentially reshaping regional power dynamics.
Experts also believe that North Korea might still be years away from deploying a fully operational nuclear-powered submarine. Although the vessel has been unveiled, building a reliable nuclear reactor for sustained underwater operations requires rigorous testing and refinement.
Moon Keun-sik, a South Korean submarine expert, has suggested that North Korea could launch the submarine within one to two years to test its capabilities before full deployment. Such tests would likely be closely monitored by international intelligence agencies, given the implications for global security.
North Korea’s Evolving Naval Capabilities
North Korea has long maintained one of the world’s largest submarine fleets, with an estimated 70 to 90 diesel-powered submarines. However, these vessels are primarily aging models that are limited to launching torpedoes and deploying naval mines rather than missiles.
The newly revealed submarine could mark a turning point in North Korea’s naval strategy by significantly enhancing its ability to conduct missile strikes from the sea.
Despite past claims by North Korea about the development of advanced submarines, foreign analysts have often questioned the credibility of such announcements. For instance, in 2023, North Korea declared that it had launched its first “tactical nuclear attack submarine.”
However, analysts doubted this assertion, suspecting that the vessel was merely a modified version of a diesel-powered submarine first showcased in 2019. So far, there has been no independent confirmation that this alleged tactical nuclear submarine has been deployed for operational use.
North Korea has also been conducting underwater ballistic missile tests since 2016. However, these tests have been performed using a single 2,000-ton-class submarine equipped with just one launch tube.
Most analysts consider this submarine a test platform rather than an actively deployed naval asset. The introduction of a nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching multiple missiles would represent a significant leap forward in North Korea’s naval deterrence capabilities.
Beyond submarines, North Korea has been working to modernize its naval fleet in response to what it perceives as escalating threats from the United States and its allies.
During his visits to the shipyards, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of simultaneously developing both surface and underwater warships. State media reported that Kim stressed the need for “incomparably overwhelming warships” to counter “the inveterate gunboat diplomacy of hostile forces.”
In recent days, tensions between North Korea and the U.S.-South Korea alliance have been escalating. The latest developments come ahead of annual joint military drills between the U.S. and South Korea, which are set to begin on Monday. Pyongyang has frequently condemned these exercises, viewing them as rehearsals for an invasion.
North Korea often responds to such drills with military provocations, including missile tests and aggressive rhetoric. Given the recent unveiling of the nuclear-powered submarine, there are concerns that North Korea may conduct further demonstrations of its naval capabilities in the coming weeks.
North Korea’s announcement of a nuclear-powered submarine represents a significant development in its ongoing military buildup. If successfully deployed, such a vessel would dramatically enhance Pyongyang’s strategic capabilities, posing a greater challenge to South Korea, the U.S., and other regional players.
The move raises serious questions about how North Korea obtained the necessary technology and resources, with speculation that foreign assistance, particularly from Russia, may have played a role.
While the submarine’s operational readiness remains uncertain, the development signals North Korea’s determination to modernize its navy and expand its strategic deterrence.
The potential deployment of a nuclear-powered submarine, coupled with ongoing advancements in missile technology, highlights the growing complexity of security challenges in the region. As tensions continue to rise, the international community will closely watch how North Korea proceeds with its ambitious military initiatives.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏