Choe Hyon-class destroyer
Class of North Korean destroyers
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The Choe Hyon-class destroyer (Korean: 《최현》급다목적구축함)[7] is a class of guided-missile destroyers of the Korean People's Navy (KPN). The first vessel, the Choe Hyon, was unveiled by the Korean People's Army on 30 December 2024. The second ship, Kang Kon, capsized during launch but was eventually restored to upright position and relaunched on 12 June 2025.
- Nampo Shipyard
- Hambuk Shipyard
Korean People's Navy| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators | Korean People's Navy |
| Built | 2024–present |
| In commission | 2026–present |
| Planned | 4 |
| Building | 2 |
| Completed | 2 |
| Active | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Guided-missile destroyer |
| Displacement | 5,000 t (4,900 long tons) |
| Length | ~144–145 metres (472 ft 5 in – 475 ft 9 in) |
| Beam | ~16 m (52 ft 6 in) |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 1 × helicopter or UAV |
| Aviation facilities | Flight deck |
| Notes | References[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
History
During Kim Jong Un's visit to the Nampo Shipyard in February 2024, the North Korean leader said that increasing the country's naval power is the most important issue in defending its seas, and pushed ahead with the planned warships building, completing them by the end of current Five-Year Plan in January 2026. The Choe Hyon class is likely part of the warship building program.[8]
On 25 April 2025, the first ship, Choe Hyon was launched.[9][10] The second ship, Kang Kon, was unsuccessfully launched on 21 May.[11] On 12 June, it was successful in the relaunch attempt, and Kim Jong Un approved a plan to build two more 5,000-ton destroyers in 2026.[12][13] A month later, on 21 July, workers of Nampo Shipyard began construction of the third ship, planned for completion on the 81st Party Foundation Day in October 2026.[14][15]
On 12 April 2026, Kim Jong Un claimed that construction of a fourth ship has begun.[16]
At the Choe Hyon's commissioning ceremony on 23 June 2026, Kim Jong Un revealed North Korea's five-year plan to build two Choe Hyon-class destroyer each year, alongside 10,000-ton cruiser.[6][17][18] While state media said that the ship "departed" the port, a week later satellite photography pointed it was still seen parking at Nampho port.[19]
Development
Name
The lead ship was named after Choe Hyon, a North Korean general who served as a general in the Northeast Counter-Japanese United Army and later became the Minister of the People's Armed Forces of North Korea.[20][21] The second ship was named after Korean War general Kang Kon.[22]
Design
It is the first surface vessel in the Korean People's Navy to be equipped with a phased array radar and a vertical launching system.[9]
Ships in the class
| Name | Hull no. | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choe Hyon | 51 | Nampo Shipyard, Nampo | May 2024 | 25 April 2025 | 23 June 2026[18] | Active |
| Kang Kon | 52 | Hambuk Shipyard, Chongjin | 12 June 2025[13] | On trials | ||
| Unnamed | Nampo Shipyard, Nampo | 21 July 2025 | est. October 2026 | Under construction | ||
| Unnamed | Under construction |
See also
Equivalent destroyers of the same era