Is N. Korea building a missile submarine?
”A missile launch tube on a North Korean submarine was observed recently by U.S. intelligence agencies and is raising new concerns about the missile and nuclear threat from the communist regime in Pyongyang, according to two defense officials familiar with reports of the development.” [Free Beacon]
That would complicate the interception of North Korean missiles immensely.
I would think having TEL/scuds in containers and using merchant vessels (both DPRK and foreign flagged (both legally and illegally)) would be a more achievable route for the DPRK to gain similar result. Though much easier to detect, track and destroy… its just that a SSBK (?) seems a bit out of reach for them. For now.
Could it be more a guided AshM? Or even a tube for a mini-sub? Or even just another deception? Who knows, though what is clear is the gradual ramping up of the military there. In propaganda and movement, and provocative action. I fear another event may be on the horizon :/ especially re the quite vocal/clear ‘US policy weakness’ that is perceived/materialised at the moment.
If this is true, I would imagine most first world countries would have an increased presence in the area with their subs and stuff. Especially the United States. Once you’ve located the thing, it’d be easy to track and destroy if need be.