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Recent satellite imagery shows that North Korea has picked up construction of a new 5,000-ton-class warship, at Nampo Shipyard on the west coast. The warship is believed to be the third vessel in the Choe Hyon-class series.
As reported by The Korea times, the structure looks more complete than in previous images, with work now shifting toward fitting out the ship rather than just assembling its hull. That usually means radar systems, weapons, and internal electronics are being installed.
The high resolution commercial satellite imagery, taken by Vantor, a U.S.-based satellite intelligence company, were released by Rep.Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party.
North Korea has set October 10, the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean Workers’ Party, as the target for completing the vessel. According to state media, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the shipyard in early March and said that the navy’s nuclear weapons program is progressing well
Meanwhile, the reports of the first destroyer in this class indicate it has already begun testing missile systems, including cruise missiles. A second ship is believed to be at an intermediate stage between the first and the one now under construction.
The Choe Hyon class, which North Korea has highlighted as key to its naval modernization, is a destroyer displacing over 5,000 tons, making it larger than South Korea’s Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class ships. According to Yoo’s office, it features four fixed-panel phased-array radars with 360-degree coverage, a 127-millimeter naval gun, short-range air defense systems, and anti-ship missiles.
North Korean state media reported in March that a cruise missile launched from the Choe Hyon flew for between 10,116 and 10,138 seconds before hitting a target island. Defense analysts cited by Yu’s office said this flight time suggests a range of 2,000 to 2,500 kilometers, potentially putting U.S. military installations in Okinawa, Japan, within reach.
Reports also suggest that North Korea seems to be developing the Choe Hyon class as a sea-based platform for nuclear-capable missiles, complementing its existing land-based mobile launchers and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
“North Korea appears to be accelerating the modernization of its navy on the back of military technology assistance from Russia,” Yoo said.
(With inputs from agency)
