Sinpo-class submarine

Sinpo class
Class overview
Builders: Sinpo South Shipyard
Operators:  Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Preceded by: Sang-O-class submarine
Building: 1
General characteristics
Type:diesel submarine
Displacement:1,000-1,500 tons (estimated)
Length:65.5m (estimated)
Beam:6.6m (estimated)
Propulsion:Diesel-electric?
Speed:(extimated) 16knots on surface, 10knots dived. (estimated)
Range:1,500 nautical miles (2,800 km) (estimated)
Complement:30-50 crew (estimated)
Sensors and
processing systems:		unknown
Armament:unknown

The Sinpo class submarine is a new class of submarines produced in North Korea. One submarine has been observed under construction. It is the largest submarines designed and built for the Korean People's Navy.

Design and Features

The design may be influenced by older Yugoslavian designs such as Heroj and Sava.[1] These has been speculation the design is influenced by modern Russian submarines of Kilo class, or Golf class submarine, but the submarine under construction is significantly smaller than these designs.[2]

Despite being possibly less advanced and capable of western or South Korean vessels, they could still represent a significative step forward by the submarine fleet of the Korean People's Navy. If the design is successful, the Sinpo class could replace the aging Romeo submarines. However it is possibly a one-off experimental submarine as the Korean People's Navy has built previously.[1]

At first a blue cover on the sail has been proposed as a possible vertical tube for missile launcher on a blog-like website,[3] though this was refuted by more reliable sources.[1][2] Later however, new satellite pictures could confirm the presence of an opening on the cunning tower to indicate the presence of tubes for launch of 1 or 2 missiles of unclear type.[4]

Speculations

Only satellite imagines are available, because no official photo was released by North Korea.

South Korean media has suggested that North Korea managed to reverse-engineered or modify one of the old Golf-II hulls that North Korea imported in early '90s.[5][6] However also this claim is refused by some western analyst sources.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Joseph s. Bermudez Jr. (19 October 2014). "The North Korean Navy Acquires a New Submarine". 38 North (U.S.-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies). Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Media Busters: Is North Korea Building a Ballistic Missile Submarine?". 38 North (U.S.-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies). 4 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  3. ↑ http://www.hisutton.com/Un-Boot.html
  4. ↑ http://38north.org/2015/01/jbermudez010815/
  5. ↑ "N. Korea launches ballistic missile submarine: gov't sources". Yonhap News Agency. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  6. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2818101/North-Korea-launches-refurbished-Soviet-era-submarine-missiles-capable-hitting-neighbouring-South-beyond.html
  7. ↑ http://38north.org/2014/11/editor110414/