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from https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/heavily-armed-missile-destroyer-joins-north-korean-navy/

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North Korea Commissions Heavily Armed Missile Destroyer “Choe Hyon” Published on 28/04/2025
By Alex Luck
In News
Graphic of warship with explanatory notes
The North Korean Choe Hyon-class multipurpose destroyer, in a detailed
system breakdown by Dimitris Mitsopoulos for Naval News.
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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.

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.

Kim Jong Un with daughter Kim Jue Ae and military officials onboard Choe
Hyon. Image DPRK via Chinese social media.
Kim Jong Un with daughter Kim Jue Ae and military officials onboard Choe
Hyon. Image DPRK via Chinese social media.
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.


The new ship received the name “Choe Hyon” and hull number 51 at a
ceremony in Nampo on April 25, 2025. Image DPRK media.
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 heavy VLS-based missile armament is evident in these images of the
new design. Pictures DPRK state media via Chinese social media.
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.


Amnok-class corvette launches Hwasal-2 cruise missile from hidden slant launcher. Choe Hyon features a similar housing, either for the same
missile or for the North Korean Kh-35 variant dubbed Kumsong-3. Image
DPRK state media.
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.




DPRK military officials inspecting static display demonstrating various shipborne weapons for Choe Hyon. Note Kumsong-3 in light blue, Hwasal-2 variants in dark blue, black RPK-style ASW missile in front of
Kumsong-3. All images DPRK state media.
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.


The main gun resembles Western designs, but is either of domestic or
Russian origin, with a calibre possibly of 130 mm. Image DPRK state
media via Chinese social media.
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.



First image shows twin torpedo launcher and one of two AK-630 on Choe
Hyon. Second image for reference of the curious AK-230-style cupola of
the weapon. Images DPRK state media.
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.




First image shows ATGM quadruple launcher as installed on Choe Hyon.
Second image shows apparently missing sensor panels below bridge. Third
image reference shot of Russian 5P-10E Puma, which resembles the two
FCRs on Choe Hyon‘s forward superstructure.
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.



The launch of a modified Project 633 (Romeo)-class submarine equipped
with ballistic and cruise missiles in September 2023 gained widespread international attention and illustrates the scope of North Korean naval expansion. Image DPRK media.
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.

Tags
Destroyer, DPRK, North Korea, North Korean Navy
Picture of Alex Luck
Alex Luck
Alex Luck is a freelance writer & analyst, with a focus on German
military modernization, NATO and naval programs worldwide, particularly
with the Chinese Navy (PLAN). Originally from Germany, Alex is presently
based in Brisbane, Australia.

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