The news has had particular echo in the region as it puts at risk Japan, the US forces present in the area and the government of Seoul itself.
The 'Golf' class diesel-electric-powered submarines entered service with the Soviet Union in the 1958: the 23 built boats were struck off the active service in the 1990. In 1993, North Korea bought ten scrapped 'Golfs'. Twenty years later, the last submarine of the class has returned to sail the seas.
The 'Golfs' were able to carry both ballistic missiles and Scud (with a single warhead of a megatone), but we're talking about obsolete weapon systems: just think that the three missiles 'R-13' transported, could be launched only on the surface (madness in the current strategy) at a maximum distance of 600 km. The 'R-13' were all withdrawn in the 1975.
Just to give an example. The 'Trident II' that equip the American and English submarines have a range of twelve thousand km and 8 / 12 warheads MIRV (multiple independent warheads) from 100 kilotons each (although not officially some units could have received the newest and deadly MaRVs, capable to perform violent maneuvers during the flight and to change the target).
According to Seoul, Pyongyang is not yet in possession of the SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) technology. Therefore, North Korea has an old ballistic missile submarine, but has not yet developed weapons for its specific nuclear deterrent service.
According to the Pentagon, the Maritime Research Institute, responsible for research and development of North Korea's marine and submarine technology, has been developing SLBM technology for years and within 24 months it may even be able to perform the first test launch from a submarine.
The information currently available on the real capacity of the North Korean submarine fleet remains scarce. According to official information, the fleet should consist of twenty 'Romeo' class boats, forty 'Sang-O' class and ten mini 'Yono' class submarines. Most of them are unable to carry ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, Pyongyang continues to make progress with tactical missiles, successfully testing a modified version (longer and with greater range) of the Russian system 'SS-21 Tochka', purchased by Syria in the 'A' version. It can carry conventional, nuclear, biological or chemical warheads. This would be the most precise ballistic missile in North Korea's inventory.
Franco Iacch
