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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Sinpo South Shipyard: Preparations for a New SLBM Test? |
| 2017-07-23 |
| [38North.org] Recent media reports indicate that North Korea’s sole SINPO-class experimental ballistic missile submarine (SSBA) has been engaged in "’unusual deployment activity’ over the past 48 hours,"[1] sailing approximately 100-km out into the East Sea (Sea of Japan). If correct, this would be the submarine’s longest known voyage to date. Most previous voyages have been far shorter and within the waters near its home port at the Sinpo South Shipyard. A 100-km voyage would also likely place the submarine in international waters--a first for the vessel. While there are several possible explanations, the most likely is preparations for a test in the near future of an updated Pukguksong-1 (KN-11) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) or a potentially newer system. Commercial satellite imagery from June 30 of the Sinpo South Shipyard shows activity at the facility’s secure boat basin, where both the SINPO-class submarine and the submersible test stand barge have been repositioned.[2] While the precise reason for this movement is unclear, one possibility is that it may have been long-term preparations for the recently reported voyage or an upcoming missile test. Activity at Secure Boat Basin Imagery from June 30 indicates that the SINPO-class submarine was repositioned forward along the dock and the submersible test stand barge was moved from its position along the south pier enclosing the boat basin and berthed along the dock aft of the submarine. Both had been in their former positions since December 9, 2016. The June image also showed that the equipment previously positioned on the deck of the submarine, aft of the conning tower, were no longer present, suggesting that ongoing repair or modification work had been completed. A number of potential reasons can explain this movement, including long-term preparations for a test of the Pukguksong-1, at-sea deployments of one or both craft during late-May, pre-deployment training and routine maintenance or a combination of these. |
| Posted by:Anomalous Sources |
| #1 It's going to depend on how long a cable they have available to tow back the wreckage after attempting an undersea launch. They want to try it, but they also want the submarine back, or what's left of it. |
| Posted by: ed in texas 2017-07-23 08:32 |