North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine in a first

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

North Korea has revealed the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine, a significant development in its military capabilities.
The state media released photographs of what it described as a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine.”

Specifications:

The submarine is reportedly a 6,000-tonne or 7,000-tonne class vessel capable of carrying approximately 10 missiles.
Experts have indicated that the term “strategic guided missiles” suggests the submarine is designed to carry nuclear-capable weapons, making it a significant security threat to both South Korea and the United States.

Context of North Korea’s Military Expansion:

The nuclear-powered submarine is part of North Korea’s broader efforts to advance its military arsenal, as outlined by Kim Jong-un in 2021.
The leader pledged to develop a range of advanced weaponry to counter what he termed escalating S. led military threats.
Other weapons in development include solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles.
There are questions about how North Korea, a heavily sanctioned and economically impoverished nation, has been able to acquire the necessary resources and technology to build a nuclear-powered submarine.
Experts speculate that North Korea may have received technological assistance from Russia in exchange for support in Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Security concerns:

A major concern with North Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine is its potential to launch missiles from underwater. Such capabilities are troubling because underwater missile launches are difficult to detect in advance, giving North Korea a significant strategic advantage.
This increases the risk of surprise missile attacks, complicating defence efforts by regional rivals such as South Korea and the U.S.