Sinpho South Shipyard commercial satellite images from October 28, 2021 indicate continued activity around North Korea’s SINPO-class experimental ballistic missile submarine, in line with preparations for further testing of submarine-launched ballistic missiles .
First, a mobile crane, which was used to load missile cartridges in both the submarine and the submersible test barge in previous tests, is positioned next to the submersible test barge. The crane was last seen alongside the submarine on October 20, following a reported sea trial of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) earlier this month.[1]
Additionally, the cover of the rotating ring mount in the center of the submersible barge has been removed, possibly in order to insert a missile cartridge into the ring mount.
Figure 1. Overview of the secure navigation basin, 20-28 October 2021.
