Choe Hyon-class destroyer


The Choe Hyon-class destroyer is a class of guided-missile destroyers of the Korean People's Navy. The first vessel, the Choe Hyon, was unveiled by the Korean People's Army on 30 December 2024. The second ship, Kang Kon, 2025 [North Korean destroyer launch accident|capsized] during launch but was eventually restored to upright position and relaunched on 12 June 2025.

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.
On 25 April 2025, Choe Hyon was launched.
On 12 June, when the second ship launched, Kim Jong Un approved a plan to build two more 5,000-ton destroyers in 2026. Nampo Shipyard has resolved to complete the third ship by the 81st Party Foundation Day in October 2026.

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 Ministry of [National Defence (North Korea)|Minister of the People's Armed Forces] of North Korea. The second ship was named after Korean War general Kang Kon.

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.

Ships in the class