Open Nuclear Network Analyst Tianran Xu cautioned that the apparent deployment of both DPRK's new warships on the east coast does not represent a significant advancement of DPRK's capabilities.
“They could buy some time for strategic subs to launch nukes … by offering a relatively secure operational zone underwater and to keep enemy anti-submarine aircraft away,” He added they could also “direct smaller ships to conduct anti-ship and anti-submarine operations” in the case of non-nuclear warfighting.
