In a previous blog post, I talked about some things about North Korea's military power, such as the North Korean Air Force's MiG-29 fighter jets and the North Korean army's "Avangard" tanks. Now let's talk about submarines in the North Korean Navy. At present, the DPRK has more than 20 conventionally powered submarines and more than 50 small submarines, adding up to more than 80. In terms of the number of conventional submarines, North Korea's navy ranks fourth in the world. So, how strong is North Korea's submarine power?
North Korean submarine troops.
First of all, let's talk about some basic information about the North Korean army. At present, the DPRK's military forces are divided into land, air, navy, strategic armies, special operations forces, and social protection forces. Until now, there was no reliable number of North Korean troops. Since the DPRK itself does not say, all countries are speculating. The prevailing view is that North Korea has a military strength of more than 1.2 million to 1.3 million, of which the army is about 900,000 people, which is the absolute strength of the army. Of course, these are foreign speculations. In terms of military power, North Korea is one of the few great powers in the world with millions of troops. At present, there are more than one million people in our country, the United States, Russia, and India. These three countries are all countries with vast territories, complex tasks, and relatively strong economic strength, so it is necessary to have a considerable standing army.
A strategic submarine traditionally powered by North Korea.
North Korea has a population of more than 26 million, and to feed a regular army of more than a million, it needs to have more than 26 million troops, which is a big problem. As a result, North Korea has imposed a compulsory conscription system. Unless there is a specific reason, anyone who qualifies is forced to enlist, and they have served in the military for two-thirds more than in other countries. In contrast, the southeastern provinces of the United States had a four-month conscription policy, known as the "four months of good buddies". However, by 2024, the southeastern provinces of the United States will also implement a one-year system.
Let's get back to the point and talk about North Korea's submarine power. North Korea's submarine power is secretive, and North Korea has never disclosed its number and model. According to estimates by European and American intelligence departments, the DPRK Navy now has more than 20 conventionally powered submarines and more than 50 small submarines, and the total number of submarines has reached more than 80, ranking first in the world. If we exclude more than 50 small submarines and only compare them with medium and large submarines, the total number of submarines in the DPRK ranks fourth in the world after the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France.
Submarines of various types in the DPRK.
We can also discuss the level and number of submarines between the United States, China and Russia, the submarines of the United States are huge, and there are no traditional submarines, which is a good contrast and occupies an absolute upper hand. At present, the total number of nuclear submarines in the United States is 68, including 28 Los Angeles-class attack nuclear submarines, 3 Seawolf-class attack nuclear submarines, 19 Virginia-class attack nuclear submarines, 14 Ohio-class strategic missile nuclear submarines, and 4 Ohio-class missile nuclear submarines.
The United States now continues to build Virginia-class nuclear submarines to replace the earlier Los Angeles-class nuclear ships. Russia, like the United States, is also a powerful submarine force, with a total of more than 60 submarines of different types, with nuclear submarines as the main one.
North Korean submarine troops.
According to the data, the Russian Navy currently has 12 971-class Akula-class attack nuclear submarines, 3 Type 945-class Serra-class attack nuclear submarines, 4 Type 671 Viktor-3 attack nuclear submarines, 1 Type 941-class strategic missile nuclear submarine, 6 Type 667 Delta 3-class strategic missile nuclear submarines, 5 Delta 4-class strategic missile nuclear submarines, and 5 "God of the North Wind". In addition, eight more Oscar-class cruise missile nuclear submarines 949 A, as well as three Type 885 Yasen-class cruise missile nuclear submarines.
The total number of attack nuclear submarines in Russia is 19, 13 strategic missile nuclear submarines, 11 cruise missile nuclear submarines, and a total of 43 nuclear submarines of various types. There are more than 20 Kilo and 2 LaDAR classes of conventionally driven submarines in Russia. Now, the Lada class is being built in large numbers to replace the earlier Kiro class.
According to foreign media sources, the number of PLA ships exceeds 70 units. Among them, there are more than 20 different types of nuclear weapons ships. There are more than 30 types of conventional submarines in the 039 class, which are the main type. During this period, the US Navy had about 10 Kilo-class submarines. We have previously purchased 12 submarines of the Kilo class from Russia. Until now, the first four are in service. In addition, we have a considerable number of 035 submarines.
To be precise, these are early 21st century products, and while they are not completely scrapped, they are also decreasing. From this point, it can be seen that if we look at the total number of submarines, the total number of submarines in the DPRK is still higher than that of the United States, China, and Russia. However, if all types of small submarines are excluded, compared with medium and large submarines, North Korea has only about 20. Still, more than 20 ordinary-powered submarines can guarantee North Korea the fourth largest navy in the world.
A small submarine in the DPRK with good diving capabilities.
However, compared to the performance of this submarine, there is still a big difference. According to foreign media, the DPRK Navy currently has four W-class submarines, 22 R-class submarines, and 22 ordinary-powered missile submarines. The W model was the first model developed by the Soviet Union after World War II, that is, the level of the early 50s. In the 1960s and 1970s, North Korea supplied North Korea with four W-type submarines. The R-class, on the other hand, was developed by the USSR in the late fifties and inherited the Type W.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Soviet Union supplied the DPRK with a batch of submarines of the R category. At the same time, China imitated and developed 033 based on the Japanese class. China also supplied the DPRK with a number of 033 submarines from the sixties and seventies. R and 033 models, the total number of North Korea is 22 aircraft. In addition, the DPRK has developed a conventionally predetermined strategic submarine based on 033 that can carry ballistic missiles, the number of which is unknown.
North Korean special military forces.
In order to carry out reconnaissance, infiltration, and transportation of special operations forces, the DPRK Navy has successively equipped more than 50 advanced small submarines such as Yamanaka and Ok. North Korea develops small submarines with high technology, not only for its own use, but also for export them to Iran and Vietnam.
However, most of the North Korean submarines are from the age and have exceeded their age. Chronologically, by the early 2000s, most of North Korea's ships should have been retired. North Korea lacks the capacity to design and build submarines because more than 20 older submarines are still in service, similar to the situation of four submarines in a southeastern province. In terms of scientific and technological standards, North Korea's more than 20 submarines have long lagged behind the times. Whether it is comprehensive strength or stability, it is much worse.
South Korean submarine troops.
The South Korean Navy does not have as many submarines as the DPRK relative to the DPRK, but in terms of its capabilities, it can be compared with our later 039 series. South Korea's submarines have a lot to do with Germany, South Korea now has 9 Jang Bogo-class submarines (based on 209), 9 Son Won class (based on 214), 3 KSS-3 as a base. In particular, the KSS-3 type, which has a displacement of more than 3800 tons in the water, is about the same as our 039 C and the Japanese "Big Whale".
South Korean submarine troops.
At present, South Korea has begun to mass-produce the KSS-3 and gradually replace the "Jang Bo-go" in the 1980s. As can be seen from this, despite the fact that the submarines of the DPRK have an absolute superiority in numbers. Overall, though, it's still far from it. With its own strength and technology, North Korea will not be able to catch up.
PLA 039 Type C nuclear submarine.
In the course of the development of the North Korean army, many such things have already arisen. I'll talk to you slowly in a later post.