According to U.S. Intelligence report a new class diesel-electeic submarine is under construction at the North Korea's Sinpo Shipyard located at the east coast of the country.
According to the Diplomat in its interview with a U.S. government source with Knowledge of North Korea's weapons programs. "the submarine’s submerged displacement is thought to be in excess of 2,000 tons with a beam measurement of 11 meters. The vessel is likely the largest ever to be built for the Korean People’s Navy since the Najin -class frigates".
This new submarine is dubbed the Sinpo-C by the United States intelligence community and is in the Gorae-class submarine of the pariah state.
The new submarine will most likely be capable of launching the KN11/Pukguksong-1 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) which can be launched by the only Gorae-class submarine in North Korea’s inventory which has entered operational use.
North Korea has been trying to perfect its Submarine launched ballistic missile since last year. Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported that North Korea failed last year in her attempt to test a new Solid-fuel engine for an SLBM but Pyongyang has been trying to modernise launch-tube on her already operational Gorae-class submarine and this new development may just mean they've had a breakthrough in perfecting their submarine launched ballistic missile capabilities.
The Construction of a new submarine of the Gorae-class may be an evidence of North Korea’s intention to strengthen its Sea-based deterrent capability and they may construct more submarine of this class in coming years.
North Korea tested an SLBM last August. The missile, a Pukguksong-1 SLBM, flew to 500 kilometers on a lofted trajectory and splashed down in the Sea of Japan.
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