I think at this stage it's a bit early to rule in or rule out VLS on this submarine -- there's just too much random clutter on the topside of the hull, and more importantly VLS on submarines can sit quite flush and difficult to identify with satellite pictures or even pictures from a plane, with typical camera resolutions.
After all, the VLS tubes on 09IIIB were only really more confidently identified when they literally had the doors open.
After all, the VLS tubes on 09IIIB were only really more confidently identified when they literally had the doors open.