North Korea Working on Nampo Missile Test Stand Barge

April 26, 2021

Beyond Parallel:


Key Findings

Satellite imagery on April 19 shows that North Korea has positioned a cylindrical object on the submersible missile test barge at Nampo.
This object could be a launch tube for an SLBM, but this cannot be confirmed yet based on available imagery.
The North Korean leader has made clear his desires to perfect long-range ballistic missiles capabilities to reach the United States. An operational SLBM capability would enhance the survivability of their nuclear deterrent.
Other explanations for the activity include repairs, equipment updates, training, strategic deception, or any combination of these.

Satellite imagery of the Nampo Navy Shipyard collected on six dates during April 2021, most recently on April 19, shows that during the previous four weeks, North Korea has been working on a cylindrical object mounted on the central position of its submersible missile test stand barge.2 It is here that a missile launch tube would be mounted before conducting a test launch from the barge. The resolution of the available imagery and the angle from which it was taken, however, make it impractical to derive precise details or confirm that the object is a launch tube…



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Curtis Stiles - Chief of Staff