North Korean destroyer Kang Kon
| History | |
|---|---|
| North Korea | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Kang Kon |
| Builder | Hambuk Shipyard, Chongjin |
| Laid down | May 2024 |
| Launched | 12 June 2025 |
| Identification | Hull number: 52 |
| Status | On trials |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Choe Hyon-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 5,000 t (4,900 long tons) |
| Length | ~140–145 m (459 ft 4 in – 475 ft 9 in) |
| Beam | ~16 m (52 ft 6 in) |
| Sensors & processing systems | Phased array radars |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | 4 × countermeasures dispensers |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 1 × helicopter |
| Aviation facilities | Flight deck |
Kang Kon (Korean: 강건) is the second ship of Choe Hyon-class destroyers to be operated by the Korean People's Navy. The ship is among the first destroyers operated by the North Korean navy.[1]
Design and description
According to the press release by the North Korean state-run news agency Korean Central News Agency, the class is classified as a multipurpose destroyer with a 5,000-tonne (4,900-long-ton) displacement.[2] Based on satellite imagery analysis, the destroyer has a length of around 140 to 145 metres (459 ft 4 in to 475 ft 9 in)[2] and beam of around 16 metres (52 ft 6 in).[3]
Based on footage released by the North Korean state media during the first ship's construction in December 2024 and satellite imagery of the second ship, the vessels would be armed with one main gun and numerous vertical launching system (VLS) cells for guided missiles, located at the bow, just behind the main gun, and at the stern.[3] The ship would also feature fixed-panel phased array radars integrated into the superstructures.[4]
Based on the photos of Choe Hyon during its launch ceremony, the ship is armed with a main gun of ~127-millimetre (5.0 in) type, a Pantsir-ME and two 30 mm (1.2 in) AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS), and 74 VLS cells of various sizes for guided missiles. The ship's VLS cells consist of 32 small cells, 12 medium-sized cells, 20 large cells and 10 very large cells. The larger cells likely accommodate cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. The destroyer also has four turreted four-cell launchers, capable of firing short-range guided missiles, anti-submarine charges, or loitering munitions. An enclosure for what appears to be anti-ship cruise missile launchers is located amidship.[5]
Kang Kon countermeasure systems consists of four countermeasures dispensers, with two on each side of the ship located at the edge of the superstructure. The vessel is equipped with four phased array radars located above the bridge, with other various sensors and communication systems located on the main mast. The ship has a flight deck at stern for helicopter.[5]
Citing Kim Jong Un's speech during the launch ceremony of Choe Hyon, the ship is claimed to have "anti-aircraft, anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-ballistic missile capabilities", and also able to carry nuclear-armed strategic cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles.[2]
Construction and launch
Construction of the second ship of the class may have started in May 2024, with the erection of rows of pillars on both sides of a slipway at Hambuk Shipyard, Chongjin, on the country's east coast. Over the next few months, protective screen walls with a mesh netting rooftop were added to the slipway. The structure was likely built to cover the ship during its construction.[3][6]
On 21 May 2025, the first attempt of launching the ship took place at Chongjin, however, a "serious accident" occurred, damaging the hull in the process.[7] Kim Jong Un declared this to be a "criminal act" and that it had "lowered the dignity and self-respect of our state in a moment". He stated that the ship must be restored by the next plenary of the party in June.[8][9] He also called for those designing the ship to be held responsible.[10] As a result of the failed launch of the second ship, North Korea arrested four officials, including the chief engineer, the construction head and an administrative manager. Ri Hyong-son, a member of the Central Military Commission, was also arrested and deemed to be "largely responsible for the serious accident" according to North Korea's state news agency, KCNA.[11] Satellite imagery taken on 2 June showed that the ship had been restored to an upright position.[12] The ship was successfully launched on 5 June[13] and it was reported that it was sent to Rajin Dockyard.[14][15] The warship docked at the drydock in Rajin on 8 June.[16]
On 12 June, the ship was officially launched, and was named Kang Kon (강건), after the first Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army who was killed in action during the Korean War, and was given the hull number 52.[17][18][19] Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae attended.[20]
See also
References
- ^ Kim, Tong-hyung (26 April 2025). "North Korean leader Kim touts new naval destroyer, blames US for tensions". AP News. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b c Zwirko, Colin (26 April 2025). Talman, Kristen (ed.). "North Korea launches largest new warship, states aim to sail beyond peninsula". nknews.org. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b c Zwirko, Colin (18 February 2025). Hill, Alannah (ed.). "North Korea building second warship of largest new class on east coast: Report". nknews.org. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Mitsopoulos, Dimitris (30 December 2024). "North Korea Unveils Advanced Frigate Design Likely Equipped with Guided Missiles". navalnews.com. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b Rogoway, Taylor (26 April 2025). "North Korea's New Frigate Has Ballistic Missile Launchers". TWZ.com. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Additional construction of New Naval Combatant at Chongjin Shipyard". si-analytics.ai. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Yoo, Min-joo (22 May 2025). "北 "신형 구축함 진수식 중 엄중한 사고 발생"…김정은 "용납 못해"" [North Korea: "Serious accident occurred during launch ceremony for new destroyer"... Kim Jong Un: "Cannot tolerate"]. News1 (in Korean). Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "Ceremony of launching newly-built destroyer takes place". Voice of Korea. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Ceremony of Launching Newly-Built Destroyer Takes Place". Korean Central News Agency. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Ng, Kelly (22 May 2025). "Kim Jong Un slams 'serious accident' at warship launch". BBC News. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Ng, Kelly (26 May 2025). "North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure". BBC News. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ Ragnone, Iliana; Williams, Martyn; Makowsky, Peter; Liu, Jack (3 June 2025). "Quick Take: Chongjin Destroyer Returned Upright". 38 North. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ Williams, Martyn; Makowsky, Peter; Ragnone, Iliana (5 June 2025). "Quick Take: North Korean Warship Has Finally Launched". ư+38 North. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ "Damaged Destroyer Moored at Pier after Perfect Restoration of Its Balance". Korean Central News Agency. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (5 June 2025). "North Korea will move damaged warship to other shipyard for repairs: State media". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (9 June 2025). "North Korea's damaged warship begins repairs near port hosting Russia arms trade". NK News. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ "Revolution in Warship-building Industry in New Era and Vigorous Advance and Development in Modernization of Naval Forces - Ceremony of Launching Destroyer of KPA Navy Takes Place with Splendor". Korean Central News Agency. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Boram, Park (13 June 2025). "N. Korea's damaged warship launched 23 days after failed first attempt". Yonhap News Agency.
- ^ Mackenzie, Jean; Guinto, Joel (13 June 2025). "North Korea claims warship launch successful on second try". BBC News. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ Ngọc Anh (13 June 2025). "Triều Tiên hạ thuỷ tàu khu trục từng gặp sự cố, tuyên bố về sức mạnh hải quân của Bình Nhưỡng" [North Korea launches troubled destroyer, claims Pyongyang's naval might]. Báo Thế giới và Việt Nam (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 14 June 2025.