Sinpo-class submarine
{{Short description|North Korean submarine}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2 }} |+ Sinpo-B class {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = | Ship caption = }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = | Builders = Sinpo South Shipyard | Operators = Korean People's Navy | Class before = {{sclass2|Sang-O|submarine|4}} | Class after = Sinpo-C-class submarine{{cite web|last1=Panda|first1=Ankit|title=The Sinpo-C-Class: A New North Korean Ballistic Missile Submarine Is Under Construction|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/10/the-sinpo-c-class-a-new-north-korean-ballistic-missile-submarine-is-under-construction/|website=The Diplomat|accessdate=18 October 2017}} | Cost = | Built range = | In service range = | In commission range = | Total ships building = 1 | Total ships planned = 3 or more | Total ships completed = 1 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = 1 | Total ships laid up = 0 | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Diesel submarine | Ship displacement = Submerged 1,650{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}-2,000 tons | Ship length = {{cvt|70|m|ftin}} (estimated) | Ship waterline length = {{cvt|65|m|ftin}} (estimated) | Ship beam = {{cvt|7|m|ftin}} (estimated) | Ship draught = | Ship draft = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = Diesel-electric (?) | Ship speed = * (estimated) {{convert|16|kn}} on surface
| Ship range = {{cvt|1500|nmi|lk=in}} (estimated) | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = | Ship boats = | Ship crew = 30–50 (estimated) | Ship complement = 70–80 (estimated){{cite web|author1=H I Sutton|title=Analysis – Sinpo Class Ballistic Missile Sub|url=http://www.hisutton.com/Analysis%20-%20Sinpo%20Class%20Ballistic%20Missile%20Sub.html|website=Covert Shores|access-date=28 April 2017|date=27 August 2016}} | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = *Pukguksong-1 (KN-11)
| 2}}: 10 × Pukguksong-3 or
| Ship armour = | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = | Ship aircraft facilities = | Ship notes = }} |
The Sinpo-class submarine ({{langx|ko|신포급 잠수함}}), also called the Gorae class ({{Korean|고래급|lit=whale|labels=no}})[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/s-gorae.htm Sinpo / GORAE-Class Ballistic Missile Sub], GlobalSecurity.org, accessed 2017-04-18 or Pongdae class ({{Korean|봉대급|labels=no}}),{{efn|Named for the Pongdae Boiler Plant, a cover term for the Sinpo South Shipyard.}}{{cite web|title=Sinpo Class (Gorae)|url=http://militaryedge.org/armaments/sinpo-class-gorae/|website=Military Edge|publisher=Foundation for Defense of Democracies|accessdate=28 April 2017|date=6 July 2016}} is a new class of submarine produced in North Korea. Only one submarine has been observed in service, the 8.24 Yongung. It is the largest submarine designed and built for the Korean People's Navy.
Design and features
The design may be influenced by older Yugoslav designs such as {{sclass|Heroj|submarine|5}} and {{sclass|Sava|submarine|5}}.{{cite news |url=http://38north.org/2014/10/jbermudez101914/ |title=The North Korean Navy Acquires a New Submarine |author=Joseph s. Bermudez Jr. |publisher=U.S.-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies |work=38 North |date=19 October 2014 |accessdate=4 November 2014}} There has been speculation the design is influenced by modern Russian submarines of the {{sclass2|Kilo|submarine|0}}, or {{sclass2|Golf|submarine|0}} submarines, but the submarine is significantly smaller than these designs.{{cite news |url=http://38north.org/2014/11/editor110414/ |title=Media Busters: Is North Korea Building a Ballistic Missile Submarine? |publisher=U.S.-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies |work=38 North |date=4 November 2014 |access-date=8 November 2014}}
If the design is successful, the Sinpo class could replace the aging {{sclass2|Romeo|submarine|1}}s. However, it is possibly a one-off experimental submarine as the Korean People's Navy has built previously.
= Armaments =
Satellite images suggest the presence of an opening on the conning tower indicating the presence of a launch tube for one or two missiles.{{cite web|url=http://38north.org/2015/01/jbermudez010815/|title=North Korea's SINPO-class Sub: New Evidence of Possible Vertical Missile Launch Tubes; Sinpo Shipyard Prepares for Significant Naval Construction Program – 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea|work=38 North|date=8 January 2015 }}
In August 2016, during the annual joint US-South Korea military exercise, a submarine presumed to be this one launched what is believed to be a Pukguksong-1 (KN-11) ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.{{cite web|author1=Sam LaGrone|title=North Korea Fires Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile|url=https://news.usni.org/2016/08/23/north-korea-fires-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile-u-s-condemns-action|website=USNI News|accessdate=28 April 2017|date=23 August 2016}} North Korea's first released pictures of the submarine associated it with the test of the KN-11 missile.
''8.24 Yongung''
The only submarine of this class is named 8.24 Yongung ("August 24 Hero"),{{cite journal |last1=Bermudez Jr. |first1=Joseph S. |last2=Cha |first2=Victor |last3=Jun |first3=Jennifer |title=Unusual Movement of the 8.24 Yongung Experimental Ballistic Missile Submarine at Sinpo South Shipyard |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/unusual-movement-824-yongung-experimental-ballistic-missile-submarine-sinpo-south-shipyard |website=Center for Strategic and International Studies |date=March 29, 2022}} with pennant number 824, named after the DPRK's first successfully launched submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submarine on 24{{nbsp}}August 2016.{{Cite web|title=Academy of Defence Science succeeds in test-fire of new-type SLBM|url=http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/?bbs=39511|url-status=dead|access-date=2021-10-21|website=The Pyongyang Times|archive-date=2021-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020122738/http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/?bbs=39511}}
On 19{{nbsp}}October 2021, the 8.24 Yongung conducted a launch of an SLBM apparently based on the Hwasong-11A (KN-23),{{Cite web|author=Vann H. Van Diepen|date=22 October 2021|title=North Korea's "New Type Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile": More Political Than Military Significance|url=https://www.38north.org/2021/10/north-koreas-new-type-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile-more-political-than-military-significance/|access-date=2025-01-02|website=38 North}} later identified as Hwasong-11S.{{Cite web|title=The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database|url=https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/north_korea_missile_test_database.xlsx|access-date=2025-01-03|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative}} On 14 March 2023, two cruise missiles were fired as part of a launching drill.{{cite web |url=https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/march/12917-north-korea-navy-sinpo-class-submarine-launches-two-cruise-missiles.html |title=North Korea Navy Sinpo-class submarine launches two cruise missiles |work=navyrecognition.com |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=11 September 2023}}
Variants
= Sinpo-C =
In September 2016, analysts at 38 North reported on a {{convert|10|m|ftin|adj=on}} diameter object detected on satellite images of North Korea's Sinpo South Shipyard, believing the object may be a construction jig or possibly a pressure hull of a new submarine.{{cite web|url=http://www.38north.org/2016/09/sinpo093016/#_ftn2|title=Is North Korea Building a New Submarine?|date=30 September 2016|publisher=}}
US intelligence detected a new submarine being built at Sinpo which was considered a likely successor to Sinpo-B (Gorae) and labelled it Sinpo-C with an estimated submerged displacement of over 2,000 tons and with an {{convert|11|m|ftin|adj=on}} beam. 38 North also detected signs of submarine being built{{cite web|url=http://www.38north.org/2017/10/sinpo101117/|title=Sinpo South Shipyard: SLBM Test Not Imminent; Unknown Shipbuilding Program Underway – 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea|date=11 October 2017|publisher=}} and reported satellite imagery from 5 November 2017 indicates a diameter of {{convert|7.1|m|ftin}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.38north.org/2017/11/sinpo111617/|title=North Korea's Submarine Ballistic Missile Program Moves Ahead: Indications of Shipbuilding and Missile Ejection Testing – 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea|date=16 November 2017|publisher=}}
Tokyo Shimbun reported in September 2017, that new North Korean submarine in construction to displace 3,000 tons and have air-independent propulsion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/09/14/Report-North-Korea-completing-work-on-new-SLBM-submarines/6201505395767/|title=Report: North Korea completing work on new SLBM submarines|website=UPI}} Also in September 2017, Sekai Nippo also reported on the 3,000-ton submarine and added it is nuclear powered.{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldtimes.co.jp/world/korea/80733.html|title=北朝鮮、密かに原潜建造 ２～３年内に実戦配備 | 世界日報}}
The Sinpo-C ballistic missile submarine (SSB){{cite web | url=http://www.38north.org/2017/11/sinpo111617/ | title=North Korea's Submarine Ballistic Missile Program Moves Ahead: Indications of Shipbuilding and Missile Ejection Testing | date=16 November 2017 | publisher=38 North | accessdate=11 December 2017}} and the Sinpo-class experimental ballistic missile submarine (SSBA) were built in the Sinpo South shipyard.
Chosun Ilbo reported on 5{{nbsp}}April 2019 that a 3,000-ton ballistic missile submarine was being built at Sinpo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/04/05/2019040500264.html|title=北, SLBM 3~4기 실을 3000t급 신형 잠수함 건조 중|date=July 18, 2020|website=The Chosun Ilbo}}{{Cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/04/05/2019040501685.html|title=N.Korea 'Building New Ballistic Missile Submarine'|website=The Chosun Ilbo}} Satellite images of the Sinpo shipyard from March and April 2019 indicated that submarine construction was still ongoing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.38north.org/2019/04/sinpo041219/|title=North Korea's Sinpo South Shipyard: Submarine Shipbuilding Continuing at Slow Pace | 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea|date=April 12, 2019|website=38 North}}
As September 2023, there was one submarine of the class, {{ship|North Korean submarine|Hero Kim Kun Ok||2}}, which was named after the supposed commander of KPA naval forces in the 1950 engagement they call the battle of Chumonchin Chan.{{Cite web |last=Minji |first=Lee |date=2023-09-08 |title=(3rd LD) N. Korea unveils new 'tactical nuclear attack submarine' |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230908000653325 |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=en}}
= 3,000-ton submarine and 4,000–5,000-ton submarine =
South Korean media has suggested that North Korea managed to reverse-engineer or modify one of the old Golf-II hulls that North Korea imported in the early 1990s.{{cite news|date=2 November 2014|title=N. Korea launches ballistic missile submarine: gov't sources|newspaper=Yonhap News Agency|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2014/10/31/35/0301000000AEN20141031009551315F.html|accessdate=8 November 2014}} However, an analysis in 38 North disagrees with the Golf-II conversion theory, as such a hull has yet to be identified.{{cite web|title=Media Busters: Is North Korea Building a Ballistic Missile Submarine? – 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea|url=http://38north.org/2014/11/editor110414/|work=38 North|date=4 November 2014 }}
Although a Type 033 submarine is the submarine being converted at the Sinpo South Shipyard, such a submarine, which originally displaced 1,830 tons is unlikely to become a 3,000-ton submarine, by adding missile launch tubes and expanding the sail, as images released do not show the submarine being expanded in length. A Golf-class submarine, however, would fit the description of a 3,000 ton submarine, which is significantly larger than the Type 033 submarine that is the only known submarine undergoing reconstruction.{{Cite web|title=Ballistic Missile Submarines and Submarine-launched Ballistic Missiles of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea|url=https://oneearthfuture.org/research-analysis/ballistic-missile-submarines-and-submarine-launched-ballistic-missiles-democratic|date=16 April 2021|access-date=26 October 2021|website=oneearthfuture.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027111639/https://oneearthfuture.org/research-analysis/ballistic-missile-submarines-and-submarine-launched-ballistic-missiles-democratic |archive-date=27 October 2021}}
On 6 September 2023, the submarine named Hero Kim Kun Ok was unveiled via KCNA on 8 September 2023 as a modified Romeo-class submarine.{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Josh |last2=Choi |first2=Soo-Hyang |date=2023-09-08 |title=North Korea unveils first tactical, nuclear-armed submarine |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-launches-new-tactical-nuclear-attack-submarine-kcna-2023-09-07/ |access-date=2023-09-08}} Originally having three missile tubes during construction, when completed the submarine possessed a larger missile compartment behind the sail with ten vertical launch tubes laid out in two rows of five; the front four being larger to house SLBMs like the Pukguksong-1, Pukguksong-3, and Hwasong-11S, and the remaining smaller six housing Hwasal-2 submarine-launched cruise missiles. Kim Jong Un stated that it is intended for North Korea's entire fleet of 20 Romeo-class submarines to be converted into missile submarines, but it is unknown how many are viable to be upgraded or how long it might take.[https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2023/09/08/see-north-koreas-new-ballistic-missile-submarine/ See North Korea’s new ballistic missile submarine]. Defense News. 8 September 2023.[https://www.38north.org/2023/09/the-sleeper-has-awakened-six-key-takeaways-from-the-roll-out-of-north-koreas-tactical-nuclear-attack-submarine/ The Sleeper Has Awakened: Six Key Takeaways From the Rollout of North Korea’s “Tactical Nuclear Attack Submarine”]. 38 North. 11 September 2023.
A different South Korean report claims that North Korea is also developing a larger submarine, at around 4,000 to 5,000 tons. This particular weight would fit the category of a nuclear submarine, which had been a stated goal by Kim Jong Un at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Notes
{{Portal|North Korea}}
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