On "X" the author made another hypothesis for this new frigate.
View: https://x.com/Darkstar_OSINT/status/1915024887388967155

It is certainly possible also in a version without anti-submarine helicopter, but with numerous silos for the vertical launch of missiles.
However I think that the author has drawn the 2 RBU-6000 positioned at the bow too small, two of the original ones could hardly be placed in that area, but even if it was only one, the dimensions could interfere with the turret's firing angle similar to the 76/62.
But probably not even two North Korean-built 10-tube ASW rocket launchers (which resemble the RBU-6000) like those installed on the new submarine chaser.
I still tend to think that if ASW launchers were to be placed in that area, the choice would fall on the RBU-1200, which are smaller in size, similar to the choice made also by Myanmar for their new frigates.
It seems to me instead that the author has exaggerated the size of the area that goes from the tip of the ship's bow to the command superstructure.
Anyway, I repeat, the one on "X" is an interesting interpretation.
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Just like I thought: no ASW helicopter.

Interestingly, the Chinese concept suggests that the VLS that North Korea will use will be a multi-purpose one (like those of the US or China) rather than clearly divided into different functions (like those of Russia). Although this can only be known for sure once the vessel is launched and images of it are released on KCNA...
 
Remaining at the level of hypothesis, I made a hybrid using my hypothesis and the one published above, modifying some elements, such as the funnel, replacing the RBU-ASWs and adding the possibility of using drone helicopters at least as large as the one inspected by Kim Jong-un adapted to military tasks.
DPRK frigate-2-4.jpg
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In the image above in the large opening in the centre of the ship they have positioned a small craft, this opening, as from the leaked photos is closed with movable panels,
but another photo has also appeared
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which makes me ask the question:
are we sure that the missiles that will be on board the frigate are only vertically launched missiles?
Because there seem to be 2 missile canisters, which reminded me of the launching of cruise missiles from the corvette Amnok, with the difference that while those Amnoks were cylindrical for the Hwasal-1/2, while these are square shaped similar to this one in the photo
PYH2023081401550032500_P4.jpg
who knows maybe they will use something bigger than the Hwasal-1/2

DPRK frigate-2-6.jpg
 
And also appears to glimpse the superstructure of a helicopter hangar.
With this image many designs need to be redone.
Perhaps the aft part of my first drawing comes in handy.
PS
in the area where the smokestack seems to be on its structure toward the bow of the ship, it looks like they will install something (electronic sensors ?)
 
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And also appears to glimpse the superstructure of a helicopter hangar.
With this image many designs need to be redone.
Perhaps the aft part of my first drawing comes in handy.
PS
in the area where the smokestack seems to be on its structure toward the bow of the ship, it looks like they will install something (electronic sensors ?)
with the changes made thanks to the elements visible from the new satellite photo
DPRK frigate-2-7.jpg
 
Great work Sahureka. Have you found any additional details to try to have a stab at drawing the new DPRK SSBN?
 
Are the 10 large doors at the rear of the 'destroyer' for the naval version of the KN-23 or Hwasong-11?
 
Some personal analysis:
  • The 100/130mm gun was the first surprise, as initially it was expected that she would be armed with a stealthy OTO Melara 76mm gun. The design looked Chinese.
  • There are 3 types of VLS seen: 12 medium-sized cells at the front are probably for launching cruise missiles, 10 large cells at the rear (tail) are for launching ballistic missiles. The rest are smaller cells for launching naval SAMs.
  • The original design seemed to have called for the phased array radar panels to be mounted below the bridge, a location that many considered suboptimal. It seems Kim and his engineers read that and moved them up the mast :V
  • In the middle of the hull is a hangar-type structure similar to that found on the Amnok/Tuman-class frigates. More cruise missiles?
  • A whole Kashtan CIWS!!! For real!!!
  • Another angle shows two small helicopter hangars leading to the helipad. Small enough to fit a helicopter UAV in, and there are two of them.
 
P.S. IMHO, but the rear superstructure was initially intended as helicopter hangar, and then repurposed for heavy missile tubes. If you look closely, the big missile containers roof isn't exactly aligned with the superstructure wall edges; it looks like insertion. And there are some lines on rear wall that looks suspiciously like painted-over hangar door.

My IMHO, the rear superstructure is modular, and could be easilly repurposed either as ballistic missile launch systems (for deterrence patrols in home waters), or as heliopter hangar (for oversea deployment)
 
Some personal analysis:
  • The original design seemed to have called for the phased array radar panels to be mounted below the bridge, a location that many considered suboptimal. It seems Kim and his engineers read that and moved them up the mast :V
maybe the holes below the bridge were for easy access/changeover to radar/CIC equipments.
as it still covered by removeable panel now.
(otherwise it should be welded if not needed anymore).
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maybe the holes below the bridge were for easy access/changeover to radar/CIC equipments.
as it still covered by removeable panel now.
(otherwise it should be welded if not needed anymore).
IMHO the most likely answer is it isn't there yet. Of course, those can be access hatches for equipment...but count me very doubtful.

Ship was mastered up for the ceremony and initial trials to avoid delays, but not everything is installed just yet.
 
IMHO the most likely answer is it isn't there yet. Of course, those can be access hatches for equipment...but count me very doubtful.
Well, considering that its DPRK first attempt to build something as complex and big - it's stand to reason that they erred toward caution, and made vital components easy to access (in case they would require some major rework).
 
Well, considering that its DPRK first attempt to build something as complex and big - it's stand to reason that they erred toward caution, and made vital components easy to access (in case they would require some major rework).
Or maybe indeed. Front hatches are obvious, place for rear ones(above ciws) is relatively limited even for smaller rectangular arrays....

The question is whether they need separate arrays for fire control, or big 4(probably in normal S band) is enough.
 
Well, considering that its DPRK first attempt to build something as complex and big - it's stand to reason that they erred toward caution, and made vital components easy to access (in case they would require some major rework).
"Great Leader (or whatever Un's "leader name" is), because this is our first attempt at building a ship of this complexity, it is possible that the examples of the Western Imperialists may lead us down mistaken paths and it will require some rework."
 
"Great Leader (or whatever Un's "leader name" is), because this is our first attempt at building a ship of this complexity, it is possible that the examples of the Western Imperialists may lead us down mistaken paths and it will require some rework."
We may smirk, but that's a 5000t ship worked up from keel to trials in ~400 days.

General suit seems:
4-face multipurpose ESA; visible nav radars, two gfcs ESA arrays in front. Surprisingly extensive visible ESM/EW installations. Something that looks like PLAN-styled countermeasures/short range asw launchers.

Single stack with either access hatch or ASCM "hangar". For now I'll lean towards access, it's already armed to the teeth and more.
Hard to guess powerplant for now.

40(32+8)+20(12+8)+10 VLS in "two-ended" configuration, replacing proper helicopter hangar. Pad is still there, as there are two smaller drone hangars.
First type are likely for some moderate-sized, likely yet unknown SAMs. Second - ASROC, ASCM(?). Third - something larger, either LACM or BM.
Almost guaranteed theater (APAC-strategic) nuclear role.

Likely 5" DP gun(gun mount also has its own optics hatch on the shield), 2x30 AK-630ski. Pantsir-ME is so close to Russian export models I suspect it's genuine. At least it is meant to show one.

4x4 NLOS ATGM/multipurpose (DP), within-the-horizon missiles.

This is a bloody impressive ship, gotta say.
 
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Kim "... also pledged to construct more warships of "Choe Hyon class" and larger cruisers, as well as various types of escort ships, next year and also develop "nuclear-powered submarines" in the future."

Cruisers??? Escort ships??? God save SK…. It's even more threatening when you consider that this ship was completed in record time and that North Korea is very good at focusing national resources on key programs - given the nature of their state and economy.

Should we think that they can close the gap between them and the South Korean navy - even surpass it - in the near future? 1745650135336.png
 
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Having this ship comissioned so quickly is something i did NOT expected, this is some China speed of construction. So DDG's (or FFG?) name is Choe Hyon right?
Another very impressive achievement for DPRK.
I wonder how soon we'll see the new SSBN.
 
We may smirk, but that's a 5000t ship on trials in ~400 days.
Which is damned impressive for sure.

My comment was a not-so-tongue-in-cheek statement about what the development team probably told their bosses about what may happen. Failure is tolerated if you phrase it correctly. Otherwise, it's "off with his head!"
 
In fairness, this is the launch, it says in the communique that after carrying out various sea trials this year it will be comissioned early next year. So the next thing to look for is the first sea trial, and also the second of the class that is apparently under construction on the opposite shipyard.
 
Should we think that they can close the gap between them and the South Korean navy - even surpass it - in the near future?
No way, and no way it's their goal. It just isn't reasonable.

IMHO it's more of a policy expression, since they officially denied reunification as a state goal, DPRK simply stopped it's focus on being a single trick (unification) pony.

Resources can now be freely allocated to actual needs - protecting future boomers, protecting freedom of navigation/DPRK trade, especially one not going through the Chinese border.

That takes some seagoing capability well beyond the needs of fighting another peninsula war.
 
I must admit, this ship is more heavily armed than I thought it would be (dare I say overkill given how festooned it is with guns, decoy launchers and missiles).
I think some redesign has occurred to move the radar arrays and add the aft large VLS, but it shows a flexibility in construction that has been lost in the West.
I doubt the ship is fully complete or kitted out at this stage, but it's still a rapid build time.
 
Ironic that it uses, at a smaller scale, the concept that the now cancelled ROKN arsenal frigate was supposed to achieve.
I must admit, this ship is more heavily armed than I thought it would be (dare I say overkill given how festooned it is with guns, decoy launchers and missiles).
Arguably the only truly "over" part is the rear VLS, and it replaced main hangar. So nothing excessive.
 
I must admit, this ship is more heavily armed than I thought it would be (dare I say overkill given how festooned it is with guns, decoy launchers and missiles).
I think some redesign has occurred to move the radar arrays and add the aft large VLS, but it shows a flexibility in construction that has been lost in the West.
I doubt the ship is fully complete or kitted out at this stage, but it's still a rapid build time.

On the first point, we have to remember that Soviet ships were also heavily armed for their size - for the reason that the failure rate of their weapons was much larger than comparable Western systems.

As to the fast-turnaround redesign, we do not know exactly what is ‘in the tin’. It could be an empty void. Additionally, if hopefully functional weapons are actually in that space, it speaks volumes to the authority of NK naval designers - and not in a good way, and also the lack of a solid doctrine for the DPNK Navy.

Build time is fast - but let’s see trials, and if the ship is mollycoddled or really put through her paces.
 
Should we think that they can close the gap between them and the South Korean navy - even surpass it - in the near future?
Hard to say (too many unknown about North Korea industry), but its pretty clear that a new regional naval power was born - and the one that should be taken seriously.
 
On the first point, we have to remember that Soviet ships were also heavily armed for their size - for the reason that the failure rate of their weapons was much larger than comparable Western systems.
Erm, actually because we put less emphasis on range & seakeeping capability. If you look at Italian or French warship as counterpart, they would be almost as heavily armed.
 
On the first point, we have to remember that Soviet ships were also heavily armed for their size - for the reason that the failure rate of their weapons was much larger than comparable Western systems.
This is an outright wrong reason. Especially since the intended dud rate for weapons is more or less the same around the world, and salvo calculations for large ASM weapons don't take into account failure rates at all.

Ships carry more weapons for their purpose, i.e. doctrinal reasons.
In particular, Soviet and Russian ships(or Indian, or older Chinese) carry more, heavier strike weapons for coordinated theater salvos, something most western navies until very recently didn't have to even consider.
This use by default involves firing over larger distances, at better protected targets, in less than sure shots.

Russian ships carry more self defense weapons, too - expecting to lack any air cover, that's a very reasonable proposition.
Part of it of course is just shipbuilding school - Italians do the same, for instance.
Finally, Soviet and Russian weapons tend to be produced in Russia. I.e. they can better afford it, and have stronger industrial incentive to do it even when they can't. Factories want orders.

Otherwise, you're going to come to a conclusion that the worst ships in the world are likely Israeli ones, and recently quality of European weapons started to drop(weapon loads increased).

Yes, ships often make do with lesser weapon loads for other priorities. Limited amount of money, running costs considerations, and expensive ammo all play the role.

At some point, though, your economic Exeter runs into 10-gunned japanese cruisers with unreasonable torpedo loads.
And those torpedoes miss again and again. What matters is who gets to feed the sharks, though.

Erm, actually because we put less emphasis on range & seakeeping capability. If you look at Italian or French warship as counterpart, they would be almost as heavily armed.
Russian ships operate from (and are expected to fight in) some of the least hospitable seas and weather conditions on Earth.
Plus routinely go into long range deployments without friendly harbors in reach. They often, beyond intended purpose of their class, which is accounted for. ("cheap imperial policy")
There are savings in RU designs, but normally (failures happen) that's not sea keeping.
 
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Kim "... also pledged to construct more warships of "Choe Hyon class" and larger cruisers, as well as various types of escort ships, next year and also develop "nuclear-powered submarines" in the future."

Cruisers??? Escort ships??? God save SK…. It's even more threatening when you consider that this ship was completed in record time and that North Korea is very good at focusing national resources on key programs - given the nature of their state and economy.

Should we think that they can close the gap between them and the South Korean navy - even surpass it - in the near future?View attachment 768057
I think the ROK has much more pressing issues sitting in it's neck than the start of a potential DPRK naval build up.

I would suspect the reasoning behind this is that the DPRK wants to be able to protect their interests in the naval domain and the waters surrounding them, as well as being able to have surface combatants around that can scare away assets snooping around for their submarines.

Furthermore the Western Pacific is getting more and more militarized every year, with various nations building up and modernizing their navies and the USN shifting their attention from the unimpressed European theater to the crucial WESTPAC. And especially with neighbors like Japan and the ROK, which field large fleets, it makes sense to just go "fuck it we ball". I can also imagine that the Chinese are very content with this development, as it would mean that in the future there would be aa sizeable, friendly Navy in the region which could distract and deal with lesser adversaries in a potential conflict against the United States (or alternatively also be used to harass USN ships).
 

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