North Korea has conducted the first test-firing of weapons systems aboard its newly unveiled 5,000-ton “Choe Hyon-class” destroyer, state media KCNA confirmed Wednesday. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the tests, which involved the launch of supersonic and strategic cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, ship-to-ship tactical guided weapons, and automatic guns. The tests also featured electronic warfare capabilities such as smoke and jamming guns.
Kim hailed the destroyer’s development as a key step toward strengthening the navy’s nuclear strike capabilities. He emphasized the need to accelerate nuclear armament at sea for the defense of national sovereignty, calling the ship’s construction a “breakthrough” in modernizing the country’s maritime forces.
Russia’s Role Raises Concerns
Military experts and satellite imagery analysts suggest that North Korea likely received assistance from Russia in building the warship. Lee Illwoo of the Korea Defense Network noted that components such as the anti-air radar system, propulsion units, and missile systems resemble Russian designs. The radar system, for instance, shares similarities with those mounted on Russia’s Karakurt-class warships, and the cruise missiles reportedly bear resemblance to Russia’s hypersonic Zircon missiles.
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Yu Yong-weon, a military analyst and South Korean lawmaker, further observed that the destroyer’s integrated air defense system closely mirrors Russia’s Pantsir system, hinting at technology transfers. The phased array radar aboard the Choe Hyon allows for 360-degree surveillance, similar to systems used in the U.S. Aegis-class destroyers.
These technological parallels have intensified scrutiny over Russia–North Korea military cooperation. Pyongyang recently admitted it had deployed combat troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, a development previously suspected by international intelligence. In return, Moscow appears to be supplying Pyongyang with advanced military technology.
Deployment Timeline and Technical Issues
Despite the warship’s unveiling and successful weapons tests, the destroyer may not yet be fully operational. According to the U.S.-based think tank 38 North, satellite imagery showed tugboats maneuvering the vessel back to drydock, suggesting its propulsion system might still be non-functional. More work is likely needed before it can sail under its own power.
Kim Jong Un has announced plans to deploy the ship by early next year and to further expand naval capabilities with additional Choe Hyon-class destroyers, larger cruisers, and nuclear-powered submarines. The North unveiled one such submarine under construction in March, further signaling its maritime ambitions.
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The launch of the Choe Hyon-class destroyer marks a significant upgrade to North Korea’s outdated naval forces. While South Korea maintains a far more advanced navy, including 12 operational destroyers, the North’s new warship—with the capacity to carry roughly 80 missiles—poses a credible threat, particularly if deployed near strategic areas like Pyongyang.