Shipyard activity caught in satellite imagery shows evidence of an ongoing programme to create the country’s first operational ballistic missile submarine.
Speaking about earlier tests defence analyst Lance Gatling said: ”The whole point of putting missiles into a stealthy platform like a submarine is to achieve tactical surprise, and this moves closer to that.”
Korea analysts North 38 uncovered movement at the Sinpo South Shipyard which indicated an accelerated process to complete the strategically key submarine.
Components including hull sections have been appearing on a ramp that enters an underground construction hall where it is suspected the SINPO-C submarine is being built.
The SINPO-C is the next step from the SINPO-class, which was an experimental submarine constructed to test the design.
A launch canister is also thought to have been identified on a testing platform from the images.
A 38 North report said: “A probable launch canister support, or launch canister, appears to be present within the service tower at the missile test stand suggesting the ongoing ejection testing of submarine launch ballistic missiles.”
The ejection testing will check the ability of the launch canister to propel the ballistic missile away from the submarine before it ignites, protecting the vessel from damage.
These activities have been ongoing throughout 2017 but have intensified recently with the images from November 5 showing an increase in movement.
“The triad are the three components of a nuclear defence system: land-based missiles fired from secret silos, B-1 bombers that can drop them from the air, and submarine launched ballistic missiles.”
The article which falsely boasted of “secret” US silos and B-1 bombers that can drop nuclear warheads was quickly debunked by experts online.
This could provoke a retaliation from North Korea next time the US flies a B-1 bomber over the Korean peninsula, it is feared.
Nuclear expert Vipin Narang said: “What the hell guys. Secret silos and B-1s? Don’t spread false information through the official handle.”