DPRK Navy ships

So there are FOUR of them either launched or under construction as of now right? My understanding is that another DDG was started at Nampo too after Choe Hyon's launch. I was speculating elsewhere that if the construction rate is maintained (roughly 1 DDG per shipyard per year), they could have as much as a dozen of them in the water by 2030 (!). They probably don't need that many, plus they also want to build "cruisers" too, but still it looks like a major surface fleet expansion in both numbers and especially capability is inevitable. This not even touching on the expected SSBN building program.
 
lancer21 said:
So there are FOUR of them either launched or under construction as of now right? My understanding is that another DDG was started at Nampo too after Choe Hyon's launch. I was speculating elsewhere that if the construction rate is maintained (roughly 1 DDG per shipyard per year), they could have as much as a dozen of them in the water by 2030 (!). They probably don't need that many, plus they also want to build "cruisers" too, but still it looks like a major surface fleet expansion in both numbers and especially capability is inevitable. This not even touching on the expected SSBN building program.
Click to expand...
And for the next five years most westerners are going to do little to acknowledge their emerging naval threat.

We often like to look at PLAN and DPRK as two separate threats, but in fully suspect if SK gets involved in helping with a Taiwan conflict that NK will get involved too.

We have no problem thinking about our allies assisting us, but seem to forget our rivals also have allies as well.
 
johnpjones1775 said:
And for the next five years most westerners are going to do little to acknowledge their emerging naval threat.

We often like to look at PLAN and DPRK as two separate threats, but in fully suspect if SK gets involved in helping with a Taiwan conflict that NK will get involved too.

We have no problem thinking about our allies assisting us, but seem to forget our rivals also have allies as well.
Click to expand...
They have a long way to pursue such capability. Problem with NK is that they lack credible coastal fleet, and doesn't possess of any actual blue water operational capability such as supply ships or COMSATs, as of yet. I also acknowledge that their efforts to modernize is being significantly accelerated, but as of now I don't think their goal is power projection alongside PLA forces but rather more effectice nuclear deterrence supported by modernized conventional forces, as well as conventional force that could pursue fait accompli strategies exploiting the imbalance in nuclear capability.

I do know that "blue water navy" was mentioned as one of their goals, but to be honest, there is no true blue water navy in Asia other than China.
 
Maro.Kyo said:
They have a long way to pursue such capability. Problem with NK is that they lack credible coastal fleet, and doesn't possess of any actual blue water operational capability such as supply ships or COMSATs, as of yet. I also acknowledge that their efforts to modernize is being significantly accelerated, but as of now I don't think their goal is power projection alongside PLA forces but rather more effectice nuclear deterrence supported by modernized conventional forces, as well as conventional force that could pursue fait accompli strategies exploiting the imbalance in nuclear capability.

I do know that "blue water navy" was mentioned as one of their goals, but to be honest, there is no true blue water navy in Asia other than China.
Click to expand...
I didn’t say power projection, at least what they could achieve in a few years is not what I would call power projection.

If these ships have the endurance to stay at sea for 20 days total from the day they leave to the day they return to port they can’t sail particularly far by our standards, but it suddenly widens the area we and our Allies have to try to keep an eye on in order to track their vessels. It extends their strike range by several hundred miles. It allows them to threaten routes we might use to relieve Taiwan.

I don’t believe for a second that little Kim is planning to send these on patrols around Japan’s territorial waters, but with out measuring first I’m sure they could definitely sail well within the EEZ.

If they have access to Chinese ports they don’t need supply ships to operate around Taiwan. It will be slower but they just hop port to port every 10-15 days of travel.

Again these ships will likely never cast a shadow on Guam or anything, at least not without major refits for UNREP capability, but they can significantly complicate our math on a naval war with China.

Sure they may only have 5 of them or 10 at most in several years, but considering how outnumbered China has us, that just adds to that.

ROKN’s fleet of DDGs isn’t that much greater than 10, so that’s a significant portion of an allied navy that is now tied up that can’t help even the numbers between us and the PLAN.

Edit
Also looks like these new NORK DDGs actually outgun most of SK’s DDGs by a fair amount.
 
Last edited:
Arjen said:
How do the DPRK DDGs (more than one?) compare to the ROK Sejong the Great DDGs (four active, two to complete)?
Click to expand...
ROKN DDGs are about twice the displacement, and as such are fitted with more VLS cells, though on the other hand NK DDGs have a few cells at its stern that are much bigger than even the KVLS-II on ROKN DDG Batch-II.

I guess he confused ROKN DDHs with DDGs.
 
johnpjones1775 said:
I didn’t say power projection, at least what they could achieve in a few years is not what I would call power projection.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. I just assumed that KPAN operating beyond its EEZ as inherently close to power projection.

johnpjones1775 said:
If these ships have the endurance to stay at sea for 20 days total from the day they leave to the day they return to port they can’t sail particularly far by our standards, but it suddenly widens the area we and our Allies have to try to keep an eye on in order to track their vessels. It extends their strike range by several hundred miles. It allows them to threaten routes we might use to relieve Taiwan.

I don’t believe for a second that little Kim is planning to send these on patrols around Japan’s territorial waters, but with out measuring first I’m sure they could definitely sail well within the EEZ.

If they have access to Chinese ports they don’t need supply ships to operate around Taiwan. It will be slower but they just hop port to port every 10-15 days of travel.

Again these ships will likely never cast a shadow on Guam or anything, at least not without major refits for UNREP capability, but they can significantly complicate our math on a naval war with China.

Sure they may only have 5 of them or 10 at most in several years, but considering how outnumbered China has us, that just adds to that.

ROKN’s fleet of DDGs isn’t that much greater than 10, so that’s a significant portion of an allied navy that is now tied up that can’t help even the numbers between us and the PLAN.
Click to expand...
Like I've said, I don't think they are really interested in sending those ships out of the vicinity of their waters. If anything, it seems pretty clear that they want to operate those ships as nuclear warhead armed ballistic missile and cruise missile launching platform, while also playing some role as a patrol ship to creat a secure bastion for their SSBK and future SSBNs to operate in. This was also mentioned by NK official statemrnts before, that these ships are part of the future nuclear force.

Other than that, comparing ROKN surface fleet to KPAN surface fleet on 1-to-1 basis and assuming that those NK DDGs will restrict the scope of operations of the ROKN Task Fleet Command doesn't make that much sense, considering the huge imbalance in submarine force and airpower.
 
Maro.Kyo said:
ROKN DDGs are about twice the displacement, and as such are fitted with more VLS cells, though on the other hand NK DDGs have a few cells at its stern that are much bigger than even the KVLS-II on ROKN DDG Batch-II.

I guess he confused ROKN DDHs with DDGs.
Click to expand...
the DDH classification is stupid and pointless in 2025, and even much longer ago. Every destroyer and frigate built in the last 20+ years has been a helicopter destroyer or frigate, and the SK ships do not carry a significant number more than any other ship of similar size. If they were 5k ton ships carrying 4 medium helos it would be a different story, but they’re not.
 
Sejong the Great DDG class:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejong_the_Great-class_destroyerFirst active Batch II of the class:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROKS_Jeongjo_the_Great
Unlike the existing Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers, Jeongjo the Great is equipped with the newer Aegis Combat System Baseline 9.C2 ‘KII’ combined with AN/SPY-1D(V) multi-function radar antennae.[3] This will allow the Batch II ships to use the RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 and RIM-174 Standard Missile 6, in addition to the ROK Navy's current RIM-66 Standard Missile 2 missiles, from the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System.[4]
Click to expand...
To continue:
johnpjones1775 said:
Also looks like these new NORK DDGs actually outgun most of SK’s DDGs by a fair amount.
Click to expand...
Are you comparing the nine ROK's DDH ships to the one DPRK DDG? Then you should state so. In my opinion the four active ROK DDGs are superior to the one, unfinished DPRK DDG.
 
Arjen said:
How do the DPRK DDGs (more than one?) compare to the ROK Sejong the Great DDGs (four active, two to complete)?
Click to expand...
Hard to compare exactly. Presumably, comparing ship-per-ship, ROKN destroyers are significantly better in terms of defense, while DPRKN destroyers carry significantly heavier offensive armament.
 
Arjen said:
Sejong the Great DDG class:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejong_the_Great-class_destroyerFirst active Batch II of the class:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROKS_Jeongjo_the_Great
To continue:

Are you comparing the nine ROK's DDH ships to the one DPRK DDG? Then you should state so. In my opinion the four active ROK DDGs are superior to the one, unfinished DPRK DDG.
Click to expand...
They’re all DDGs, they all carry 2 medium lift helicopters, and they all have a primary armament of guided missiles.

Edit
Since there are no actual rules for classifying ships their classifications are irrelevant, so when comparing 2 types of ships the only thing is how similar are they in design and armament? In this case the ROKN ‘DDHs’ are designed equipped in the same manner as a DDG making them no different than a DDG.
 
Last edited:
Dilandu said:
Hard to compare exactly. Presumably, comparing ship-per-ship, ROKN destroyers are significantly better in terms of defense, while DPRKN destroyers carry significantly heavier offensive armament.
Click to expand...
Not to mention assuming their defenses come from Russian technology and training there’s likely a massive gap in effectiveness of those defenses.
 
johnpjones1775 said:
Not to mention assuming their defenses come from Russian technology and training there’s likely a massive gap in effectiveness of those defenses.
Click to expand...
Pure speculations. The only certainly Russian part of the ship is Pantsir-M CIWS, and those were proven to be efficient (especially after early glitches were fixed). The SAM's that were shown launched have little to no relation to any Russian or Soviet design. The radars are, presumably, based on Soviet export versions of S-300, but it may also be fully native development.
 
In other relevant news, looks like preparations are well underway for a re-launch of the destroyer at Rajin.
https://www.38north.org/2025/06/qui...royer-could-be-ready-for-ceremonial-relaunch/Frankly, their effort to salvage and repair the ship are nothing short of heroic, likely a round the clock, 7 days a week effort. If i'm to think of a similar effort in past naval history is the effort to repair Yorktown in time for Midway.
 
Last edited:
Now we'll wait... for the new SSBN is under construction. Rumored to be able to carry new large SLBMs of the Pukguksong series, which can reach the US - that would be the most remarkable feat of naval engineering in North Korean history.

Then in a few years, there will be a completely new class of cruiser (Type 055 Juche?) and many new escorts for her and the destroyers. It's not yet clear whether they intend to replace or modernize their littoral surface forces, midget/coastal and attack submarines - the plan is for the Romeos to be converted into nuclear attack submarines... but overall there's a lot to look forward to.
 
ValiantHeart said:
Now we'll wait... for the new SSBN is under construction. Rumored to be able to carry new large SLBMs of the Pukguksong series, which can reach the US - that would be the most remarkable feat of naval engineering in North Korean history.

Then in a few years, there will be a completely new class of cruiser (Type 055 Juche?) and many new escorts for her and the destroyers. It's not yet clear whether they intend to replace or modernize their littoral surface forces, midget/coastal and attack submarines - the plan is for the Romeos to be converted into nuclear attack submarines... but overall there's a lot to look forward to.
Click to expand...

Would there actually be a benefit in investing further into litoral forces when AShMs and AShBMs become more capable and thus can threaten ships comfortably from the shore?
 
EmoBirb said:
Would there actually be a benefit in investing further into litoral forces when AShMs and AShBMs become more capable and thus can threaten ships comfortably from the shore?
Click to expand...
For purely defensive stance - no. But North Korea apparently wanted a force projection/shipping protection capability also. And for that, they need big, sea-capable warships with extensive defense systems.
 
EmoBirb said:
Would there actually be a benefit in investing further into litoral forces when AShMs and AShBMs become more capable and thus can threaten ships comfortably from the shore?
Click to expand...
There are several ways for the North Korea's coastal naval forces to evolve:
  • Moving towards a more offensive, swarming force – which can be achieved through mass deployment of UUVs and USVs.
  • Turn it into a more escort force – focusing on protecting major surface combatants, strategic missile submarines and other important naval assets.
  • Turn it into a nuclear deterrent force like other branches, by focusing on 600-1,500 ton corvettes and frigates capable of launching nuclear-capable missiles.
The result is a smaller coastal force (700-800 ships down to just... 100 ships? - not counting UUVs/USVs) but much more capable.
 
The helicopter deck and superstructure forward of it is interesting.
Whilst it is now home to a vertical launch system, it is sized to hangar a medium to large helicopter too.
Just a cursory eyeball from the video shows a height of +5 meters, easily accommodating a Super Puma or Kamov sized helicopter.

I wonder if the 2 ordered ships to follow on these first 2 will be missile or helicopter equipped?
Even if not, it also allows a later refit to relatively easily go for either the missile or helicopter option through the life of the ship, depending on other (future) missile platforms (submarines) and which task these vessels end up doing through their lifespan.
For example, at a later stage, it might be that missile option is housed in a dedicated SSBN force, with these then being refitted to a more dedicated ASW role with helicopters, to support these subs.
The mere fact that there is a helicopter landing deck (also seen on the Nampo class corvette) demonstrates to me that we will for the first time be seeing a dedicated helicopter component within the NK navy at some stage. What helicopter that will be will be interesting. Probably a Kamov variant, as there are rumours they acquired a few previously.

Either way, it's an impressive achievement for the North Koreans.
Still interested to know the propulsion machinery.
 

Attachments

  • BDN2KKKBF5N7DMGTUJ2H2Q2DLA.jpg
    BDN2KKKBF5N7DMGTUJ2H2Q2DLA.jpg
    845.9 KB · Views: 44
Last edited:
kaiserbill said:
The helicopter deck and superstructure forward of it is interesting.
Whilst it is now home to a vertical launch system, it is sized to hangar a medium to large helicopter too.
Just a cursory eyeball from the video shows a height of +5 meters, easily accommodating a Super Puma or Kamov sized helicopter.

I wonder if the 2 ordered ships to follow on these first 2 will be missile or helicopter equipped?
Even if not, it also allows a later refit to relatively easily go for either the missile or helicopter option through the life of the ship, depending on other (future) missile platforms (submarines) and which task these vessels end up doing through their lifespan.
For example, at a later stage, it might be that missile option is housed in a dedicated SSBN force, with these then being refitted to a more dedicated ASW role with helicopters, to support these subs.
The mere fact that there is a helicopter landing deck (also seen on the Nampo class corvette) demonstrates to me that we will for the first time be seeing a dedicated helicopter component within the NK navy at some stage. What helicopter that will be will be interesting. Probably a Kamov variant, as there are rumours they acquired a few previously.

Either way, it's an impressive achievement for the North Koreans.
Still interested to know the propulsion machinery.
Click to expand...

it looks like the VLS panels are all slightly angled. I wonder what them go that route when most other VLS panels on other ships tend to be flat.
 
Scott Kenny said:
Probably because they're using an uncontained piston for the cold launch system, and want to make sure that the piston doesn't land on top of the ship.
Click to expand...

Might not be the piston. If a missile fails to ignite after being ejected, you want to limit the chance of it falling back on the launch ship. We've seen angled launchers on proposed US cold launch installations as well, for that reason.
 
Last edited:
Coming back to the helicopter deck....the painted deck markings piqued my interest.
Especially the two parallel dotted lines heading off the circle facing the hangar.
So I had a dig around for half an hour.

The deck markings are basically identical to all the helicopter carrying cruisers, destroyers and frigates from the latter USSR period (Kirov, Slava, Kresta, Sovremenny, Udaloy, Krivak III classes )
The deck markings are also basically identical to post USSR newer Russian ships such as the Admirals Grigorovich and Gorshkov class, and Neustrashimy, Gepard, and Steregushchy classes.

It is also basically identical to the Indian Talwar class, which is a Russian design and which also mostly built in Russia, but not other Indian vessels.

The markings are not similar at all to any Chinese combatant (not the Type 55, 54, 52, 53, 56 etc) except China's Sovremenny class vessels which were built in Russia.

I suspect those two parallel lines leading forward from the landing circles might have to do with (hangar alignment of?) the Kamov Ka-25, 27, and 31 series helicopters which all have a 4 legged undercarriage.

Either way, this is definitely Russian inspired, and may lend a lot more credence to the previous rumours of the aquisition of Kamovs, first shown in indistinct satellite photos.
 
Last edited:
Another interesting fact supporting a probable future Kamov link.
The Kamov Ka-32 is the civilian version.
It is still in production, and is used around the world for a myriad of duties, such as fire fighting, logging, off shore work/maritime work, and utility work.
There is absolutely nothing stopping a North Korean purchase of this (lightly) civilianised helicopter, and re-equipping it into an ASW vehicle.
They could buy them brand new as civil helicopters, or on the open second-hand market.

To illustrate this point, neighbouring South Korea is a major user of the Ka-32, which is used by the navy, coast guard, forestry service, parks service, as well as various fire departments.
 
Last edited:
kaiserbill said:
Another interesting fact supporting a probable future Kamov link.
The Kamov Ka-32 is the civilian version.
It is still in production, and is used around the world for a myriad of duties, such as fire fighting, logging, off shore work/maritime work, and utility work.
There is absolutely nothing stopping a North Korean purchase of this (lightly) civilianised helicopter, and re-equipping it into an ASW vehicle.
They could buy them brand new as civil helicopters, or on the open second-hand market.

To illustrate this point, neighbouring South Korea is a major user of the Ka-32, which is used by the navy, coast guard, forestry service, parks service, as well as various fire departments.
Click to expand...
The DPRK already has two Kamov Ka-28ASWs (export version of the Kamov Ka-27) and 3 Mil-14-ASWs. ex-Cuban
Two-Ka-28s-in-2019-left-and-three-Mi-14PLs-in-2017-right.png
The last time they were photographed by satellites in North Korea, they were parked without blades, so if they were still repairable, Russia could restore them to flying condition.
But in any case, having them available and the UN knows they have them, could be a ploy to receive similar helicopters already operational without publicity, effectively evading sanctions.

Here again with the Cuban colors
44.png

Cuban-Mi-14.jpg
 
Indeed.
The other conclusion, apart from your very plausible theory of a straight Ka-27 purchase with plausible deniability due to already owning a few airframes, is to study the ASW systems (on both Ka-28 and Mi-14) with the view of simply buying new Ka-32's and then equipping them with the necessary systems.
The Ka-32 is literally the same platform, just without military equipment.
They then get a new platform, with a long service life ahead.
Either way, I expect to see Ka27/28/32 helicopters at some stage, given the deck markings.
 
kaiserbill said:
To illustrate this point, neighbouring South Korea is a major user of the Ka-32, which is used by the navy, coast guard, forestry service, parks service, as well as various fire departments.
Click to expand...
IIRC, South Korea took those to pay off a significant debt owed to them by the Russians.

But being a thing commonly seen flying around the RoK would make the DPRK more likely to acquire some. See also Hughes 500s.
 
interesting, didnt know they had any Kamov. Thought they were limited to just Mi-4s and Mi-14s. The latter might be too big for that ship?
 
Yesterday, July 21, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the third Choe Hyon-class destroyer, the second at the Nampo Shipyard. The ship's completion date for launch has been announced as October 10, 2026, which, given the precedent, there's no doubt they'll meet the deadline.
http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/1e5f1da47adc5caa637422d70cd7ac0b.kcmsf
3a4377dbe14679c47aaffa8413a61d6b4ec0fff0ac48b05f21d17e919af685b4860f3d0c93738cf2e86f0577396121bcec6ea327809d0cb085f7c4e64be67b43699d4c09ddab778313cd2529724aaf70.kcmsf
 

Similar threads

Back
Top Bottom