New destroyer becomes by far the largest surface combatant in North Korean fleet. However, while a second hull appears to be under construction, most technical details and specifications remain highly speculative.
Collaborative analysis by Dimitris Mitsopoulos & Alex Luck.
Update 30/04/2025: New imagery released today showed the new ship undergoing first weapons testing off Nampo on the 28th and 29th of April. The new pictures clarify several characteristics of the weapon suite onboard the vessel. The main gun is stated by DPRK state media to be a 127 mm calibre-weapon, a surprising choice by established North Korean standards. Furthermore pictures confirm the forward 32 cells contain an unspecified surface to air-missile. The stern magazine does hold two different cruise missile-types. One of which DPRK state media states to be a supersonic weapon. The other missile matches characteristics of the Hwasal-2 cruise missile. Updated imagery follows below:
Previous analysis: North Korea commissioned its most modern surface combatant, the heavily armed missile destroyer Choe Hyon last Friday, April 25. The event took place in Nampo on the west coast of the country, approximately 50 km from Pyongyang. The ship received hull number 51 in a ceremony attended by ruler Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae. Also in attendance was Admiral Kim Myong Sik, Commander-in-Chief of the Korean People’s Army Navy, and the senior leadership of both the East and West Sea Fleets.
The namesake for the new vessel, Choe Hyon (1907-1980), was a key figure in the Korean independence movement dubbed the “anti-Japanese struggle”. Cho, a politician and general, was among the most senior military commanders of the North Korean Armed Forces. He served as Minister for Defence and was considered close to DPRK founder and Kim Jong Un’s grandfather Kim Il Sung.
The new combatant, first revealed in imagery in December last year, was build at a new facility at the Nampo Shipyard. For the commissioning the vessel moved to an adjacent civilian terminal. The location also included a static display of assorted weapon systems for the event next to the berthed warship.
Medium sized combatant with heavy missile armament.
American think tank CSIS in earlier satellite imagery measured the Choe Hyon at approximately 142 meters overall length. While beam remains unstated, at this size the destroyer should displace approximately 4,500 to 5,000 tons. North Korean media in coverage of the commissioning referred to the combatant as a “5,000 ton multipurpose destroyer”. The ship visually bears some resemblance to South Korean vessels such as the significantly smaller FFX-series of guided missile frigates of the Daegu– and Chungnam-types. Choe Hyon also somewhat echoes the larger ROKN KDX II- aka Chungmugong Yi Sun-class destroyers.
The new missile destroyer is not only heavily armed for a vessel of her size. Missile armament is also notably varied. Overall Choe Hyon features at least four, but possibly five different configurations of vertical launch systems (VLS) for guided missile ordnance. The total count for all VLS-launched ordnance is 74 cells. Additionally the ship carries another eight missiles in slant launchers. Finally, eight short range SAM are part of a Pantsir M-style CIWS.
The total VLS count divides into 44 cells on the bow and another 30 at the stern. There are 32 small cells on the bow, presumably for short to medium range air defence missiles (SAM). Also ahead of the bridge are twelve medium sized cells, likely for antiship- or cruise missiles. All VLS appear to be for cold launch and feature an angled installation for the missiles to clear the ship in case of motor failure.
At the stern the ship features further variety in its loadout. Another eight medium sized cells are possibly of the same configuration as the 12 cells forward. Right behind are another twelve smaller cells, presumably for more air defence-ordnance. Curiously, the hatch design differs from the SAM cells on the bow. The distinction may indicate two separate SAM-designs on the vessel. Finally, Choe Hyon features ten very large cells at the stern, in a position forward of the helicopter landing pad. The outsized cells plausibly hold a ship launched ballistic missile, likely of the Hwasong 11-family.
Slant launchers amidships ahead of the funnel further illustrate Choe Hyon‘s concept as heavily armed missile destroyer. On the smaller Amnok-class corvette these launchers hold eight land attack cruise missiles of the long ranged Hwasal 2-type. Whether this is also the case on Choe Hyon is a further mystery. The launchers may plausibly also hold North Korea’s version of the Russian Kh-35 antiship missile, designated the Kumsong-3.
The DPRK Kh-35-equivalent was one of the missiles on display next to the new combatant. Additionally, footage of the small exhibition showed a Pantsir M-turret, with a two stage-57E6M missile displayed in front of it. Two DPRK cruise missiles were also part of the display, sitting between the Kumsong-3 and Hwasong-11. One appears to be the Hwasal-2. The other missile may be a variant of that type.
No other surface to air-missiles appear to have been part of the display. The absence deepens the mystery over the missile mix on the new warship.
Uncertainty over ASW armament and lineage of main gun.
A torpedo launcher shown at the booth appeared to be of a configuration different to the mount installed on the actual warship. The design integrated on the Choe Hyon looks to be a twin launcher for heavyweight torpedoes. Two of these twin launchers are installed behind covers in the superstructure behind and below the bridge, port and starboard. Choe Hyon carries a hull mounted sonar on the bow to support ASW-operations.
Intriguingly the static display showed what appears to be a weapon analogous to the Soviet RPK-6/7 anti-submarine missile (NATO designation: SS-N-16). The torpedo-launched RPK-series can carry a 400 mm-torpedo or nuclear depth charge to a range of 100 km.
On the bow an unspecified large calibre main gun sits ahead of the VLS. Despite its superficial similarity to Oto Melara/Leonardo-designs the gun may be a bespoke development. The design does not directly match any known Russian naval gun system. The turret may be manually operated. It features venting at the rear and a small, manually operated slide for an unidentified device at the front right. The calibre remains unspecified but appears to be 130 mm. This assessment is based on the overall size of the gun and ammunition standards in use by DPRK forces.
Beyond her offensive punch Choe Hyon further includes relatively robust self defence measures. Two 30 mm autocannons are located amidships, near the funnel. These guns appear to be of the AK-630 type. Interestingly, the cupolas housing the AK-630 guns resemble those of the AK-230 predecessor. At the stern, ahead of the rear missile magazine sits a Pantsir M-style CIWS with two quadruple SAM launchers and dual autocannons, covering the rear aspect against shorter ranged threats.
The ship mounts four decoy launchers, two each on the port and starboard side. Another interesting feature are four launchers which carry what appears to be the domestic Bulsae 4 anti-tank guided missile.
Large radar panels and diverse electronic warfare gear, questions over fire control.
For sensors the destroyer carries a distinct electronically scanned array-radar with four panels for 360 degree coverage on top of the bridge. Intriguingly, distinct panel openings below the bridge do not appear to hold further sensors, contrary to what imagery of the ship’s construction suggested earlier.
Choe Hyon features two trainable fire control-radars on top of the bridge. There are no fire control radars at stern. The configuration losely matches that of the Russian 5P-10E Puma fire control radar. If accurate, these systems would likely direct the AK-630s and possibly the main gun. The main mast also holds a Type 362/MR-36 variant air and surface search-radar, in addition to two navigation radars and IFF gear. Several boxy structures distributed around the superstructure appear to hold jamming- and ESM-equipment.
The frigate notably appears to lack dedicated fire control radars for presumed VLS-stored SAM. Guidance may either occur via the notional AESA radar, or otherwise indicate active radar homing on the missile type or types in question.
Propulsion is also unconfirmed, but likely based on diesel engines. The ship appears to feature two bow thrusters for improved manoeuvrability. The helicopter pad at the stern seems to have limited operational utility, as the ship lacks a hangar to support embarked aviation. The pad may allow VTOL-drone operations aiding in target acquisition, however. Two roller doors at the stern of the superstructure may house vehicles or related equipment.
A North Korean blue water-force?
North Korean media coverage emphasised Choe Hyon as part of a more sweeping agenda to transform the North Korean Navy into a blue water force. The decision may in part reflect Pyongyang’s desire not to fall significantly behind other regional navies in this regard. Increasing construction of large missile-armed warships capable of operations away from coastal waters represents a distinct trend across East Asia. The country previously launched a modified conventional submarine armed with ballistic and cruise missiles and aims to launch a nuclear-powered submarine.
Notably, the heavily armed missile destroyer, according to official reporting, appears earmarked for the East Sea Fleet, facing Japan, instead of staying on the west coast of North Korea and operating in the Yellow Sea. Kim Jong Un at the ceremony presented the flag of the ship to East Sea Fleet commander, Vice Admiral Pak Kwan Sop.
How many further hulls are to follow this first ship is also unclear. At least one more hull appears to be under construction at a second facility in Cheongjin on North Koreas east coast. Kim Jong Un appears to have set an ambitious agenda for significantly enhancing North Korean naval capabilities both above and below water. Construction of multiple hulls suggests quantitative growth for the Korean People’s Army Navy will follow this qualitative leap embodied by Choe Hyon.
