North Korea launches Soviet-era style ballistic missile submarine ( Copy Right @ The Telegraph, Author- Julian Ryall)

Image source- Internet

Source- The Telegraph

Author- Julian Ryall

North Korea has launched a domestically built submarine that is designed to fire ballistic missiles, raising new concerns about the growing threat posed by Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programmes.

Military sources in South Korea say the vessel is based on a Golf II-class Soviet submarine that the North acquired in 1993, ostensibly for scrapping. The 3,500-ton Golf II was equipped with submarine-launched ballistic missiles that could carry a 2,600 lb warhead more than 880 miles.

And although the Soviet-era vessel is obsolete and the Russian Navy insisted it could never return to service, North Korea is believed to have spent the last 20 years examining and replicating its missile launch system, which included the launch tubes and stabilisation equipment, according to analysts at the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

The institute recently identified a new test stand at North Korea's Sinpo South Shipyard that is apparently designed to test the launch of ballistic missiles from a submarine. In one of the satellite images posted on its 38 North web site, a new class of submarine was also identified berthed alongside a nearby dock.

US and South Korean intelligence have both warned recently that North Korea is close to perfecting the miniaturisation of nuclear warheads, which can be attached to ballistic missiles. Some reports have suggested that the North's scientists have already completed the work.

Putting nuclear weapons aboard a submarine that could sortie into the Pacific Ocean would significantly increase the security threat to South Korea, Japan and the United States.

Experts believe that North Korea could complete the installation of launch tubes and the firing system in as little as one year but, more probably, at least two years.

"While the potential threat from a future North Korean capability to launch ballistic missiles from submarines should not be ignored, it should also not be exaggerated," Joseph Bermudez, a military analyst, stated on the 38 North web site.

"If the North decides to pursue such a capability, it is likely to take years to design, develop, manufacture and deploy an operational submarine-launched ballistic missile force.

"While the development of submarines carrying ballistic missiles could provide North Korea with a survivable second-strike nuclear capability ... it also assumes that Pyongyang would entrust an operational nuclear-armed missile to the captain of a submarine who would, in time of war, most likely be out of communication with the leadership," he said.

Original link to the article- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/11204667/North-Korea-launches-Soviet-era-style-ballistic-missile-submarine.html