Kim Jong Un watches the weapons trials for the the Choi Hyon. KCNA
Imagery has surfaced depicting North Korea’s heavily armed new frigate, the Choi Hyon, discharging a range of munitions from its extensive vertical launch system (VLS) cells. The observed missiles seem to include an unidentified air defense missile and, potentially, a novel supersonic cruise missile. Our prior analysis detailed the official unveiling of the warship last weekend.
North Korean state media released images today showing Choi Hyon testing weapons near Nampo on the west coast. According to reports, the tests took place between April 28 and 29 under close observation.
On April 28, crews fired supersonic and strategic cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, and the ship’s main artillery. Then on April 29, they tested “fleet tactical guided weapons” alongside machine guns, smokescreens, and countermeasure systems.
Altogether, the footage aimed to show off the warship’s combat readiness and advanced onboard weaponry. The imagery highlights the frigate’s substantial armament while also indicating the types of missiles housed in the different VLS cells.
32 small cells are located behind the primary cannon at the front of the vessel. Directly behind these is a bank of 12 medium-sized vertical launch system cells. During the launch trials, we observed that some of these small or medium-sized cells have a surface-to-air missile equipped. The weapon appears to be an unrecognised type—particularly within a naval context.
VLS cells
The depiction shows the VLS arrays at the stern of the vessel simultaneously launching two distinct types of cruise missiles. The variation may relate to the different sizes of VLS cells at the stern: one configuration has eight cells, while another has 12 cells that are similar in size but slightly different in shape compared to the medium-sized cells at the bow; additionally, the bank next to the flight deck contains 10 larger VLS cells.
One of the missiles launched from the aft magazines seems to be the Hwasal-2 long-range cruise missile, or a derivative thereof. North Korea has previously conducted a test launch of the Hwasal-2 from its newly commissioned Amnok-class corvette.
The missile is purported to possess strategic capability, suggesting the potential for a nuclear warhead, though its existence remains unverified. We posited that such a weapon would constitute a crucial component of the frigate’s armament in our recent report.
This observation suggests a new missile design, but it’s also possible that the imagery has undergone digital alteration. Initially, the missile appears to possess a distinctive ‘dolphin-shaped’ foresection, a feature observed in scramjet missile designs.
An unconventional propulsion method would undoubtedly facilitate high speeds; however, it is not the sole alternative for a supersonic cruise missile and is more commonly linked to hypersonic missile designs. Simultaneously, the uncleaned tailfins suggest the potential for a booster/sustainer configuration.
Missile Types
The total of 74 VLS cells on this vessel is remarkable; however, the availability of four (or potentially five) distinct sizes presents certain drawbacks. Although the warship can support a broader range of missile types, it is more intricate than merely possessing one or two sizes of Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells. Larger cells take up more space, while the warship can accommodate more standardised, smaller cells.
The warship may also have angled launchers amidships, in addition to the VLS cells. As previously discussed, these may indeed house subsonic anti-ship missiles, although the purpose of this trapezoidal structure remains ambiguous.
The specific missile or missiles housed in the largest (10-cell) vertical launch system magazine nearest to the flight deck is currently unknown. Nonetheless, a ballistic missile appears to be the most probable choice.
In our prior analysis, we proposed that a short-range ballistic missile from the Hwasong-11 family might be a probable candidate, although numerous alternatives exist. Notably, the deployment of ballistic missiles on surface warships is an emerging trend that has been observed in neighbouring South Korea as well.
The AK-630s
Pyongyang’s state media reported that the bow’s primary armament is a 127 mm-calibre weapon, marking a departure from conventional North Korean naval artillery calibres. We also observe one of the ship’s two AK-630 turreted six-barrel 30mm rotary cannons in operation, positioned on either side.
The AK-630s strengthen the vessel’s main close-in weapon system (CIWS), likely a variant of Russia’s Pantsir-ME. This system combines rapid-fire cannons with agile short-range missiles for layered close-range defence.
Observers have suggested the warship may still lack a fully installed propulsion system. Aerial imagery looking down the smokestack indicates the ship might not have all its propulsion machinery in place. This implies the possibility of towing the vessel from the harbour for its weapons tests. These findings may also elucidate assertions that North Korea constructed the Choi Hyon in slightly more than a year.
Long-Range Missile Strikes
As previously analysed, this warship possesses the capability to serve as an effective launch platform for long-range missile strikes; however, its prominence would make it a primary target in the event of a conflict with North Korea.
Loading it with numerous VLS cells renders it a more appealing target, although there exists the potential for it to deploy part of its strategic payload prior to being targeted itself. Moreover, it is unlikely that North Korea will construct additional instances of the same design in significant quantities.
North Korea has quickly built this warship, and impressively, it has already tested several missile types on it. However, while the missiles launched successfully, the test’s full scope remains unclear and needs more detailed evaluation.
Therefore, many more trials are essential before calling this vessel a fully capable and combat-ready frigate. Notably, the grand launch ceremony and Kim Jong Un’s presence suggest the ship’s symbolic value outweighs its real power—for now.
Even so, a basic missile capability still poses a serious threat, especially with potential nuclear-tipped ballistic and cruise missiles. Pyongyang has cleverly fitted as many missile types as possible into every available VLS cell on the frigate.
References
- The Drive—North Korea’s New Warship Test
https://bit.ly/4cWCKvl - 38 North—North Korea’s Naval Developments
https://bit.ly/3QngR8a - Naval News—New Frigate with 74 VLS Cells
https://bit.ly/4cWmADj - GlobalSecurity—North Korean Navy Capabilities
https://bit.ly/3Qtj4LK - Defense News Today (Facebook)—Choi Hyon Discussion
https://bit.ly/3Qu3tPS
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