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North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has reportedly inspected a new submarine, but how new the vessel actually is remains uncertain.

The regime’s Korean Central News Agency featured several photos of Kim inspecting the vessel Tuesday. Kim was reportedly briefed on the sub’s new capabilities, though KCNA did not mention what those were.

Kim hailed the sub as “another demonstration of the might of our defense industry,” though it may have its origins in Soviet-era technology

The new submarine was expected to be a follow-up to North Korea’s Gorae ballistic missile submarine, according to defense analyst Joseph Dempsey. Some analysis of the pictures, however, shows it may be an updated version of a Soviet-era Romeo-class submarine.

Analyzing photographs of the two vessels, Dempsey pointed out similarities in the stern and bow of the new sub and the Romeo-class, a diesel-electric model first built in the 1950s.

While it may be based on an older model, the new sub is not necessarily obsolete. Experts are concerned it may actually be an advancement in North Korean military technology because it may be able to carry multiple ballistic missiles, which could be armed with nuclear warheads in the future.

Submarines are particularly dangerous platforms because of their ability to remain hidden and deliver nuclear warheads at a moment’s notice. A nuclear North Korea with a submarine capable of launching multiple nuclear missiles would be a game-changer for the security situation on the Korean peninsula.

The revelation of the sub comes at a time when U.S.-North Korea relations are in limbo. Nuclear talks between the two sides remain paused, and a date for a new round of deliberations has yet to be set.