North Korea's test launch of a dual-mode missile raises questions about its strategic credibility. While the move underscores Pyongyang’s continued pursuit of military capability, the effectivene

North Korea’s tortoise-back submarine is no longer a museum piece! One test launch successfully demonstrated both vertical launch and torpedo tube firing modes.

The North Korean submarine “Hero Kim Gwonyuk” completed its first live-fire test after commissioning, launching two types of submarine-launched cruise missiles simultaneously in the Sea of Japan. The missiles exhibited two distinct emergence profiles: one vertically breaking the surface from an internal vertical launch tube within the sail; the other emerging at an angle through the water via the torpedo tube, using a sealed payload capsule. Both launch systems were successfully validated during the same exercise.

The two missile variants differ in range. The vertical-launch version can reach up to 1,800–2,000 kilometers, enabling coverage of key U.S. military installations in Japan. The torpedo tube-fired variant has a range of approximately 1,500 kilometers and is capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads, allowing for dual-capability strikes—conventional and nuclear. The torpedo tube capsule technology holds significant strategic value, as it enables North Korea to equip its fleet of older conventional submarines with long-range strike capability without requiring extensive modifications to their hulls.

This test used lighter cruise missiles, reducing risk and providing valuable experience ahead of future trials involving heavier submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The vessel is a transitional model resulting from modification, featuring the characteristic bulge on its hull that increases noise and hydrodynamic drag. North Korea is already developing a new generation of larger submarines, with launch systems fully integrated into the hull to improve underwater performance.

North Korea does not prioritize open-ocean operations. Its coastal waters feature complex hydrographic conditions, including strong thermoclines that can disrupt enemy sonar detection. By remaining concealed near shore, submarines can effectively deliver firepower. The successful demonstration of dual-mode launch capability marks a critical milestone in the development of North Korea’s near-sea undersea deterrence system, significantly altering the strategic balance in the Northeast Asian maritime domain.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879180761868362/

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