North Korean state media KCNA reported today that workers at the Nampo shipyard have pledged to complete the third Choe Hyon-class destroyer by 10/10/2026, coinciding with the anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Nampo shipyard manager Yun Chi-gol urged workers to meet the deadline to fulfill the Workers' Party's plan to build a "powerful military" and "firmly defend inviolable maritime sovereignty and national interests".
Yun noted that the Nampo shipyard faced "countless challenges and difficulties" in building the first ship, but this reinforced their belief in their ability to "turn the impossible into miracles".
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The Choe Hyon warship after its launch on 25/4. Photo: KCNA |
The Choe Hyon warship after its launch on 25/4. Photo: KCNA
With a displacement of 5,000 tons, the Choe Hyon is North Korea's largest and most modern warship. Pyongyang calls it a destroyer, while Western experts classify it as a heavy guided-missile frigate with a displacement comparable to advanced European warships.
The warship is equipped with a total of 74 vertical launch tubes, located in two clusters fore and aft of the superstructure. In comparison, the US Navy's Constellation-class frigate under development has 32 Mark 41 launch tubes, while the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, with a displacement of over 9,000 tons, is equipped with 90-96.
North Korea successfully launched the first Choe Hyon-class warship, also named Choe Hyon, at the Nampo shipyard in April. The second, named Kang Kon, experienced a mishap during its launch at the Chongjin shipyard on 21/5, resulting in damage to part of the hull, the bow stuck on the shore, and the stern capsized and submerged.
Experts believe the incident was likely due to North Korea's lack of experience in launching large warships sideways, rather than a serious technical issue with the Choe Hyon class. The Kang Kon was subsequently repaired and relaunched on 12/6.
Observers say North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is focused on transforming the North Korean navy into a blue-water force to enhance its power and deterrence against rivals.
Pham Giang (According to AFP, KCNA)
