Unfinished North Korean Warship Launch Sparks Controversy According to Reports
The colossal warship, christened the Choe Hyon, blasted off a missile in North Korean waters, as per a photograph released by the state-owned Korean Central News Agency on April 30. [YONHAP]
A closer examination of this 5,000-ton destroyer unveils its impressive might and advanced capabilities.
- Missile Muscle:
- The Choe Hyon sports a vertical launch system (VLS) with approximately 74 to 82 missile tubes, depending on the source, which can accommodate various missile types, such as cruise and ballistic missiles. [1][2][3]
- It's believed to be armed with Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles, Kumsong-3, and Hwasal-2 cruise missiles. [5]
- Recent testing under the watchful eye of leader Kim Jong-un included the firing of a supersonic cruise missile and other weapon systems. [4]
- Defensive Backbone:
- Equipped with an air defense system, the Choe Hyon could incorporate a derivative of the Pyongae-6 long-range air defense system. [2]
- Countermeasure systems, boasting four countermeasure dispensers, are also part of its defensive arsenal. [5]
- Operational Reach:
- The Choe Hyon's architectural design allows it to venture beyond North Korea's shores, posing a formidable challenge to defense strategists in the US. [2][3]
- This warship signifies a shift in North Korea's naval strategy, moving from a traditional coastal defense to one capable of wielding power further afield. [3]
- Recent Moves and Implications:
- The latest missile tests, including a supersonic cruise missile, underscore North Korea's determination to escalate its naval might and accelerate naval nuclearization. [4]
[1] North Korea's New Destroyer Goes to Sea
[2] What We Know (and Don't) About North Korea's New Destroyer
[3] Choe Hyon: North Korea's Blue-Water Challenger Emerges
[4] North Korea Flexes Its Naval Muscles: An Analysis
[5] North Korea's New Missile-Packed Destroyer
- The Koreans have equipped the Choe Hyon, their new warship, with an impressive array of missiles, including Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles, Kumsong-3, and Hwasal-2 cruise missiles.
- The Choe Hyon, North Korea's new 5,000-ton destroyer, also features a defensive system that could incorporate a derivative of the Pyongae-6 long-range air defense system.
- The launching of various weapon systems, such as a supersonic cruise missile, by the Choe Hyon, under the command of leader Kim Jong-un, indicates a shift in North Korea's naval strategy towards naval nuclearization.
- The Choe Hyon, with its advanced capabilities and ability to venture beyond North Korea's shores, poses a formidable challenge to defense strategists in politics, war-and-conflicts, and general news sectors.
