🚢 North Korea speeds up building new fleet, targets 12 ships in five years

🚢 North Korea speeds up building new fleet, 12 targets in five years

Kim Jong Un has announced that North Korea will build two 5,000-ton or larger surface warships each year over the next five years. If it meets its target and counts the first two ships, the North Korean Navy could have about 12 destroyer-class warships by the early 2030s. ⚓

The leading ship, the Choe Hyon class, is already in service in June 2026. A second section, named Kang Kon, is set to enter service following. The latter had a tilt accident during the ship's launch ceremony into the water in 2025.

Also featured is the vertical firing system, or VLS, whose first batch of images gave analysts an estimate of 74 slots, but the latter with a Naval News adjustment estimated based on the latest images that it might increase to about 88 slots, close to 96 slots of some U.S. destroyers, the Arleigh Burke. 🚀

However, the number of launch slots does not immediately translate to the same capabilities, because radar performance, command systems, data linkage, missile quality, crew training, and maintenance readiness also need to be viewed.

The saying that North Korea will be in the top 5 in the world is too fast because it predicts that all ships are built, and that each country classifies "destroyer-frigate-cruiser" differently, especially France and Russia, so comparing it from the number of ships alone may make the picture more powerful than the actual ability. 📊

This goal is therefore eye-catching, but the real test is whether North Korea's shipyards, manpower, combat systems and budget will keep pace with the announced schedule.

Sources: Reuters | USNI News | Naval News | CSIS

# deepkub # North Korea # NavalPower # Destroyer # IndoPacific