On December 24, 2025, North Korean state media released the first complete images of a “strategic nuclear guided missile submarine” under construction, with an estimated displacement of 8,700 tons.
The photographs show North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conducting an inspection of the shipyard and providing what Pyongyang describes as “field guidance” during the visit.
The images were published by Korean Central News Agency and represent the most detailed visual confirmation to date of the effort, claimed by the regime for years, to develop a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.
According to analysts, the vessel appears to be significantly larger than current diesel-electric submarines operated by North Korea and appears designed to carry multiple vertical launch tubes for submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), possibly a maritime variant of the Pukguksong family.
The declared displacement of 8,700 tons would bring the project closer to the size of early Cold War SSBNs, surpassing in scale any platform currently in service with the North Korean navy. This suggests a considerable leap in strategic ambition, even if the final performance falls short of the standards of major nuclear navies.
The photos released indicate an enlarged pressure hull section, compatible with a missile compartment, in addition to external features that point to a section dedicated to a nuclear reactor. However, there is no independent confirmation that a working naval reactor has ever been installed.
Experts assess that deepening military and technological cooperation between North Korea and Russia could be a critical factor for advances in areas such as reactor design, specialized metallurgy and noise reduction techniques, fields in which Pyongyang has historically faced technical limitations.
If completed and put into operation, the submarine would represent North Korea’s first credible attempt to establish a sea-based nuclear deterrent, increasing the survivability of its strategic forces and complicating tracking and missile defense efforts by allied countries in Northeast Asia.
Still, significant challenges remain, including reactor safety, crew training, acoustic silencing, and reliable integration of SLBMswhich indicates that the platform will likely take years to reach effective operational capacity, even if construction progresses as planned.
Source and images: Korean Central News Agency. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
