A US research group says North Korea may be building a new type of large submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles, NHK WORLD reports.
The group at Johns Hopkins University on Thursday released its analysis of satellite images of a naval shipyard in Sinpo, eastern North Korea.
It says the images from November 5th show 2 circular objects that may be sections of a submarine’s pressure hull. It adds that they are broader than those of existing models. The objects are about 7 meters in diameter.
The group says parts have been moved into and out of the shipyard throughout this year, and suggests that they are part of a program to build a submarine larger than a ROMEO-class attack sub.
The researchers also found what could be a launch canister or support device not previously seen at a test site, for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
They say this indicates that the North may conduct more missile ejection tests to develop submarine-launched ballistic missiles, or SLBMs.
North Korea has not launched a ballistic missile since September 15th, when it launched a Hwasong-12 missile.
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