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North Korea’s New Destroyer Fires Cruise Missiles in Rare Military Drill
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North Korea has conducted comprehensive live-fire tests of missile and artillery systems aboard its new 5,000-ton multi-role destroyer Choe Hyon, state media agency KCNA reported on April 30.
According to the KCNA, the trials took place near the Nampho shipyard where the vessel was recently constructed and launched during an official ceremony on April 25.
The testing showcased the destroyer’s capability to fire anti-aircraft, cruise, and anti-ship missiles, as well as its onboard artillery.
Photos published by state media showed vertical launch systems firing missiles from both the bow and stern of the vessel, including the launch of Hwasal-2 cruise missiles from midship transport-launch containers.
North Korea also demonstrated the ship’s decoy launchers and multiple gun systems, including a 127mm automatic naval cannon and a close-in weapon system for air defense.
Photos from the tests revealed scorch marks around smaller-diameter vertical launch cells, suggesting they were actively used to fire surface-to-air missiles. Larger launch cells appeared untouched, possibly reserved for medium-range ballistic missiles.
Notably, a radar tracking station atop the ship’s superstructure appeared to be in use during the drills—likely for both artillery fire control and missile guidance, analysts noted.
The launch and testing of the Choe Hyon destroyer mark a significant step in North Korea’s naval modernization.
The warship was reportedly built in just 400 days—an unprecedented pace for North Korea. The vessel features 74 vertical launch cells of two distinct types: smaller cells for anti-air missiles and larger ones likely intended for offensive strike systems.
Initial satellite imagery suggesting the construction of a new North Korean warship emerged in May 2024, when ship hull components were spotted at the Nampho shipyard.
Now, less than a year later, the vessel has not only been launched but has completed its first round of live-fire exercises.
Earlier, reports emerged that Russian weapons systems, including an air defense complex and likely anti-submarine missiles, have been spotted aboard North Korea’s new guided missile destroyer.
A missile visually resembling the Russian 91RE1 anti-submarine missile was identified on board. While the design appears similar, the photograph’s angle prevents definitive identification. The missile may be a previously unknown North Korean development.
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