Despite progress, North Korea submarine missiles not ready until 2018 at earliest, say experts
North Korea is making progress on a submarine-launched ballistic missile system but any deployment of the technology is years away, a United States think tank said, as the UN Security Council promised action over Pyongyang’s latest test.
The US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said late on Friday on its closely-watched website, 38 North, that the success of North Korea’s SLBM test this week suggests the programme may be progressing faster than originally expected.
This does not mean it [North’s ballistic missile system] will be ready next week, next month, or even next year
“However, this does not mean it will be ready next week, next month, or even next year”, it said.
“Rather, the pace and method of the North’s SLBM testing would suggest possible deployment in an initial operational capability by the second half of 2018 at the earliest.”
The missile, launched from a submerged prototype “Gorae-class” submarine near the northeastern port of Sinpo, flew 500km towards Japan, marking what weapons analysts called a clear step forward for its nuclear strike ambitions.
The flight distance, which was tracked by South Korea’s military Joint Chiefs of Staff, far exceeded any previous SLBM tests, suggesting significant progress in technical prowess.
