THE DPRK`S NEW SUBMARINE MISSILE CARRIER – A MIRACLE WEAPON OR A USELESS TOY

Pavel V. Cherkashin
Asia Risk Research Center, Vladivostok

Abstract: The article describes North Korea`s the newest submarine named “Hero Kim Gun Ok”, which is highly likely capable to carry SLBM or SLCM with tactical nuclear wareheads on its board. The author makes an effort to summarize the foreign experts`s assessments of the new Pyongyang`s weapon and tries to give his own view at the DPRK`s the latest navy development, its capabilities. There is also an attempt to forecast the possible consequences and actions of North Korea aimed to modernize its morally and physically obsolete submarine fleet. 

Keywords: DPRK, North Korea, submarine, missile, weapon, fleet, modernization, SLBM, SLCM, Kim Jong-un, Navy

On September 8, the North Korean media reported on the launch ceremony of the DPRK’s first tactical nuclear attack submarine (TNW carrier), which received the onboard number 841 and was named the “Hero Kim Gun Ok”. The event was held in the personal presence of the head of state Kim Jong-un and the country`s military and political leadership. The North Korean leader announced far-reaching plans to modernize the submarine fleet, which in near the future involves the transformation of medium-class submarines into TNW carriers similar to the first ship of this type, and in the long term the creation of new submarines, up to nuclear-powered. Experts from the United States and South Korea immediately assessed the potential and combat capabilities of the new submarine with extreme skepticism, noting, however, that Pyongyang’s work in this direction and the improvement of relevant technologies pose a rather serious threat. At the same time, it should be recognized that it is not possible to assess objectively the North Korean Navy`s novelty at the moment, as it is necessary to wait for the results of its tests, including missile firing from an underwater position.

What is the “Hero Kim Gun Ok” submarine?

On September 8, on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the
DPRK’s foundation, celebrated on the 9th, KCNA officially
announced the completion and launching of the first tactical attack
submarine capable to carry tactical nuclear weapons on board at the
Sinpo shipyard (South Hamgyong Province). The submarine with the
number 841 was named “Hero Kim Gun Ok” and joined the DPRK
Eastern Fleet. The launching ceremony itself took place on
September 6 in the presence of Kim Jong-un, marshals Ri Pyongchol and Park Jong-chon, admiral Kim Myong-sik, prime minister
Kim Dok-hoon and others [1].
The submarine is a radically rebuilt diesel-electric submarine
“Type 033” (Romeo in the NATO classification) – due to an
elongated hull (about 80 meters) and the addition of a vertical missile
launch unit (VLS) combined with the deckhouse, its displacement
was increased from the standard 1800 to 3000 tons.
It was first glimpsed in front of the public in July 2019 during
Kim Jong-un’s visit to the Sinpo shipyard, where its construction was
underway. At that time, it was assumed that the submarine would
have three missile launch containers on board, but materials
published by North Korea indicate that the “Hero Kim Gun Ok” is
equipped with ten VLS for various missile weapon systems – there
are 6 small and 4 large launch containers [2].
It is assumed that the submarine could carry submarinelaunched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) of the type “Pukkukson-1” (KN11, estimated range 1250 km), “Pukkukson-3” (KN-26, range
estimated to be about 2000 km on average) or “Pukkykson-4ㅅ”
(range of about 2000-3000 km), which can be placed in four large
launch containers (both conventional and nuclear versions of
wareheads). The six small VLS are likely to be for “Hwasal-2”
strategic cruise missiles, which have a range of about 2000 km, or
“Hwasong-11ㅅ” mini-SLBM type (range 600 km), that could be
equipped with a “Hwasan-31” tactical nuclear warhead.
There is also a high probability that the submarine is capable to
carry on board unmanned underwater nuclear strike vehicles (UUV)
of the “Haeil” type.

The first assessments of foreign specialists

Military experts from South Korea and the United States were
immediately very skeptical about the capabilities and potential of

presented by Pyongyang tactical attack nuclear submarine “Hero
Kim Gun Ok”, which has been nicknamed “a Frankenstein”. The
main points of their conclusions are summarized below:

– the ship is a seriously modified version of the diesel-electric submarine “Type 033” (the Chinese version of the Soviet “Project 633”); 

– the submarine`s design features (the addition of a large-sized missile compartment to the deckhouse) may indicate a lack of balance in its systems, as well as cause a number of technical problems; this raises doubts about it`s ability to function fully in a combat situation, in particular in terms of launching missiles from an underwater position, ability to withstand pressure at depth, maneuverability etc.; 

– it is also likely to have rather high visibility and noise parameters, which negatively affects such a critical characteristic as stealth; 

– hull part from another donor submarine were probably used in the construction; 

– the missile compartment has four large-diameter VLS and six smaller ones, indicating the possibility of using various weapon systems; 

– the submarine is believed to be capable of carriying SLBMs of various modifications (the Pukkukson range, exception of the latest modifications – too wide, mini-SLBM), as well as “Hwasal”- type cruise missiles (SLCM version); 

– it is also believed to be capable of launching unmanned underwater nuclear strike vehicles of the “Haeil” type; 

– a test launch of an SLBM from the “Hero Kim Gun Ok” will follow shortly; 

– there are reported signs of hoaxes and exaggeration of the submarine’s capabilities by the DPRK; 

– the submarine is an intermediate step in Pyongyang’s plans to build a nuclear submarine, which, given the technological, financial and material costs, will take a long time; – the submarine is likely to be retaliatory and a second nuclear strike weapon; 

– attention was drawn to the statement that the submarine was handed over to the DPRK Navy immediately after its launch, which is quite unusual (i.e. without undergoing sea trials, tests, etc.); this indicates that there was a rush on the part of the authorities, which may be due to several factors at once: reaction to the joint military exercises of the United States, the ROK and Japan and the agreements in Camp David, demonstration to North Korean population of landmark achievements of the domestic militaryindustrial complex on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the DPRK`s foundation; 

– in general, it is still too early to assess the potential and technical characteristics of the new North Korean submarine, since practical tests are required; – Pyongyang’s active aspiration to develop these weapons systems with nuclear weapons on board is identified as the main threat-forming factor [3].

In early October Open Nuclear Network (ONN), the private
research institute based in Austria, released a report titled
“Expansion of the DPRK’s sea-based nuclear capabilities”. Below is
its main content:
(End of introductory fragment)