North Korean Fleet Modernisation Program
Background: Past Korean Naval Fleet's World Ranking
'Turtle Ships' Named Among Greatest Warships of All Time
Apr. 11, 2016
The turtle ships built by Admiral Yi Sun Shin to repel the Japanese invasion in the 16th century have been named as among the best warships of all time.
The turtle ships take their rightful place among modern warships like the first nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carriers.
They were included as a result of a poll of 26,000 military experts.
The Turtle ships with their convex-covered decks "were not only virtually impenetrable, but also fast and maneuverable."
▲ 朝军无敌战船龟船猛烈开炮
▲ 龟船
▲ 龟船复原图
▲ 龟船与安宅船的死斗
▲ 画名：龟船，画家姓名：金胜日
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/04/11/2016041101451.html
Current North Korean Navy: North Korean Conventional Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSB)
Satellite imagery shows North Korea actively pursuing SLBM development
2016/05/04
Recent satellite imagery shows North Korea is forging ahead with development of a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
The imagery taken of North Korea's Shinpo Shipyard on April 29, six days after North Korea's latest SLBM test, shows that a submersible missile test stand barge has been moved from its normal position.
"This shift in location suggests that the SLBM program may be moving towards a more advanced stage of development where the need for a submersible test stand barge has diminished". "That conclusion appears to be reinforced by recent test launches from the submarine itself rather than the barge."
It described North Korea's SLBM test as "successful."
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2016/05/04/30/0401000000AEN20160504001000315F.html
2016/04/25
On Saturday, North Korea fired a SLBM from a 2,000-ton Sinpo-class submarine in the East Sea in its latest SLBM test-firing after the country first publicized it carried out a SLBM ejection test in May 2015.
After soaring from the water, the ballistic missile flew some 30 kilometers.
North Korea's current 2,000-ton submarine can embark and launch one SLBM from about 10 to 15 meters below the water's surface. This shallow depth puts the submarine at greater risk of detection compared with bigger SLBM-equipped submarines that could go down some 50 meters, the experts said.
▲ North Korean SSB
▲ North Korean SSB
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2016/04/25/0401000000AEN20160425007651315.html
Future North Korean Navy: New North Korean Conventional Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSB)
North Korea aims to build new 3,000-ton sub armed with 3 SLBMs
2016/04/25
North Korea may be in the process of developing a 3,000-ton submarine that can provide a stable platform to launch three submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) as the country is scurrying to enhance its nuclear delivery capability, military experts here said Monday.
Local military observers said to meet such a goal, North Korea may move to test-fire SLBMs until it is confident in launching a missile that can fly as far as 2,000 kilometers, the experts also predicted.
On Saturday, North Korea fired a SLBM from a 2,000-ton Sinpo-class submarine in the East Sea in its latest SLBM test-firing after the country first publicized it carried out a SLBM ejection test in May 2015.
After soaring from the water, the ballistic missile flew some 30 kilometers.
Although the flight distance fell far short of a regular SLBM that could fly several thousand kilometers, South experts assessed that North Korea has made progress in advancing its technology from the initial ejection test stage to the flight test phase.
North Korea's current 2,000-ton submarine can embark and launch one SLBM from about 10 to 15 meters below the water's surface. This shallow depth puts the submarine at greater risk of detection compared with bigger SLBM-equipped submarines that could go down some 50 meters, the experts said.
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2016/04/25/0401000000AEN20160425007651315.html
IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
30 August 2016
the construction of a new class of submarine ... to be completed by 9 September 2018 to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the nation, would be capable of firing two or three ballistic missiles, said the paper.
North Korean Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
2017/08/26
North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missile, Pukguksong-2, is only a medium range solid-fuel missile of about 3,000 kilometers.
Therefore, it is highly likely that the Pukguksong-2 is a weapon targeting the US bases in Japan and Guam.
It is likely that the missile capable of hitting Hawaii or Alaska will be the Pukguksong-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile.
The question is whether North Korea can build such a large submarine capable of carrying these large missiles, and if so, how many.
North Korea has developed a new type of submarine that can mount several long-range submarine-launched ballistic missiles in 1995 by raising the submarine height with a two-story structure, as supervised by General Kim Jong Il.
If the first prototype was developed in 1995, it should have been mass produced by now, 20 years later, and several units should have been deployed.
The submarine could be loaded with 10 ballistic missiles. If the number of missiles is reduced to about 5, it would be possible to hit the US mainland by increasing the missile's diameter.
It is likely that the Pukguksong-3 or the next Pukguksong-4 will be that ICBM. Of course, it is a solid propellant missile.
The public disclosure of the Pukguksong-3 is a direct indication of the operation of such SSBN.
▲ Scene from a video where General Kim Jong Il is inspecting a special North Korean submarine model with a two-story structure.
It is a submarine capable of carrying 10 or more submarine-launched ballistic missiles and it is said that such submarines have already been deployed. With this two-story structure, the length of the submarine can be increased to accommodate even more missiles. In addition, by increasing the diameter of the missile, it is possible to increase its range.
▲ This photo was taken on April 25, 1995, when Genaral Kim Jong Il received the report of Kim Kwang Jin, the first deputy head of the People's Armed Forces, in front of the new submarine model. In April 1995, surprisingly, North Korea was also pursuing the construction of a nuclear-attack submarine using its own technology.
http://jajusibo.com/sub_read.html?uid=35337§ion=sc2§ion2=
Future North Korean Navy: New North Korean Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
North Korea completes dock for construction of 10,000-ton sub
2017/01/06 15:02
North Korea recently completed a large dock capable of building 10,000-ton-class submarines in a shipyard in Sinpo, South Hamkyong Province.
"In accordance with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's instruction to build a 10,000-ton sub in 2014, the existing dock in Sinpo was expanded.
Experienced engineers and technicians working at a shipyard in Chongjin, North Hamkyong Province, along with their family members, also have moved to Sinpo to build submarines, according to the source.
Apart from that, two 3,000-ton-class subs are currently under construction at the shipyards in Sinpo and Chongjin, the source said.
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/01/06/0401000000AEN20170106010500315.html
International Cooperation Program: Iranian Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
Iran Plans to Build Nuclear-Fueled Submarines
June 12, 2012
TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior Iranian Navy commander stressed Iran's high capabilities in designing and manufacturing different types of submarines, and announced the country's move towards manufacturing nuclear-powered submarines.
Speaking to FNA on Tuesday, Lieutenant Commander of the Navy for Technical Affairs Rear Admiral Abbas Zamini pointed to the navy's plan to manufacture super heavy nuclear-powered submarines, and stated, "Right now, we are at the initial phases of manufacturing atomic submarines."
He noted Iran's astonishing progress in developing and acquiring civilian nuclear technology for various power-generation, agricultural and medical purposes, and said such advancements allow Iran to think of manufacturing nuclear-fueled submarines.
He further reminded that using nuclear power to fuel submarines is among the civilian uses of the nuclear technology and all countries are, thus, entitled to the right to make such a use.
▲ Undated image of an Iranian SSBN, with 14 SLBM
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9103081864
http://www.iranmilitaryforum.net/index.php?topic=15754.msg123025#msg123025
Iranian Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) development restarted
Rouhani Orders Production of Highly Enriched Nuclear Fuel in Response to US Violation of Vienna Deal
Tue Dec 13, 2016 3:25
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday ordered the country's nuclear agency to start plans to produce nuclear fuel and propulsion systems for ships and submarines in response to the violation of the Vienna deal by Washington.
"Considering that the US administration has ignored and delayed compliance with its undertakings under the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), and given the recent extension of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) that had already been declared as a violation of the nuclear deal by the Islamic Republic of Iran..., the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is ordered to develop the country's peaceful nuclear program within the framework of the Islamic Republic of Iran's international undertakings as defined in the following missions," President Rouhani said in a letter to AEOI Chief Ali Akbar Salehi on Tuesday.
First, President Rouhani said, the AEOI is required "to plan for designing and building propulsion systems to be used in marine transportation in cooperation with scientific and research centers".
He also asked the Iranian nuclear agency to conduct studies to design "production of fuel for nuclear propulsion systems".
Rouhani required Zarif to inform him of his actions and their results in one month, while he asked Salehi to report back to him in maximum 3 months.
Nuclear propulsion uses a nuclear power reactor to generate electricity on a vessel. Such systems are best known for their use on strategic nuclear submarines, which allow them to stay submerged for weeks avoiding detection. Nuclear propulsion is also used on some big surface ships like aircraft carriers or icebreakers.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950923001215
▲ GIF of Pukguksong-class SLICBM
