Bluffer's Guide - North Korean Naval Power 2007

11/24/2010
Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

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06-05-2007
#1
planeman
The N ow F amous
www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?113552
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Join Date: P osts: M ay 2007 1,173
Original artwork and research by Planeman, with lots of help
Sections: * Mystery vehicles, emerging technology and speculation * Ballistic Missile Programme * North Korean Submarine Fleet * Infiltration mission * Conventional naval units
Mystery vehicles, emerging technology and speculation
The Krivak Frigate

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Dimensions: L 124m, W 14m Displacement : 3750t Armament: Varies but could include anti-ship missiles, medium caliber guns, AAA and SAMs. 21 torpedo tubes are a given. Aircraft : Helipad and hanger for one medium helicopter such as the Kamov Ka-28 Helix. North Korea has a single Krivak-III frigate but the circumstances and operational readiness remain something of a mystery. It is astonishing that it doesnt seen to have caught the eye of military observers given that it is clearly visible on Google Earth (coordinates: 38 43 07N, 125 23 44E). No export of Krivak frigates from Russia or Ukraine has been reported. One possibility is that it was obtained from Russia for scrap, although that too is likely to have been reported. The remaining option, that it has been built locally is not impossible but it is somewhat unlikely. Another confusing aspect is its conspicuous lack of weapons or scars where weapons and minor structures have been that might be expected of a scrapped warship one explanation is that after the weapons were removed the hull was made storm-proof by patching the holes, but if that is the case the Russians appear to have been somewhat over-thorough as the whole foredeck appears sealed. On the other hand the mounting for the 21 torpedo tubes amidships is clearly visible. Even if the ship was purchased for scrap it does not appear to being scrapped and it remains probable that the North Koreans intend to bring the ship into service irrespective of the backstory.
Stealth SES
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Armament: 1 x main gun (57mm?), 30mm AAA Length: 35 40m Speed: 48kts North Korea appears to have a Fast Attack Craft with significant radar signature reduction characteristics. That NK possesses stealth technology is not all that surprising since they exported torpedo boats with these features to Iran in about 2002 (Tir and Peykaap classes). But weve seen no evidence substantiating that NK operates similar stealthy torpedo boats. The armament of this craft is not clear, except that there is a medium caliber main gun mounted on the foredeck and a smaller AAA turret on the aft deck. News source estimates are a 56mm gun and a 30mm gun Id guess that 56mm refers to the more conventional 57mm. There is no apparent missile launchers but these could be incorporated into the superstructure to anti-ship missiles cant be ruled out. The sensor fit appears minimal but then again the radar mast may be retractable as per other NK origin stealth and submersible boats. The hull is very wide suggesting that it is a multi-hull or even a hovercraft. A key Korean news source describes it as a hovercraft but after careful consideration of the photo and satellite evidence I believe it to be a surface effect ship (SES) similar in principle to the infamous Soviet Bora class, or for a more modern and stealthy comparison, the Norwegian Skjold class. SES are generally very fast which supports the news sources 90km (48kts) estimate which is damn fast. In simple terms SES combine a catamaran hull with an air cushion similar to a hovercraft between the hulls consequently it is understandable that a non-military source may describe it as a hovercraft when translating into English. Indeed North Korea has a large number of hovercraft which it has been producing since 1987, but in this case the absence of a visible external propeller points away from pure hovercraft and towards SES. Evidentual leads: Photo: http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1...s1photobk6.jpg Google Earth coordinates: 39 09 36N, 127 26 44E
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Korean news article appearing to relate to this type (careful re translation): http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/200...1113046E0.html General description of SES: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_effect_ship
Other unidentified SES Fast Attack Craft In addition to the above type there are at least two similar boats on the West coast clearly visible on Google Earth satellite imagery. The boats do not match any known type. The hull proportions generally match the above type but are possibly slightly shorter (35m v 38m) and clearly non-stealthy. Although the two West coast boats are very similar to each other they have significant differences suggesting that they are two separate but closely related types. SES A Dimensions : L 35m, W 12m. Displacement approx 200t Armament : 2-8 anti-ship missiles (depending on type), 2 AAA (30mm?), 1 medium caliber dual purpose gun (85mm?). This craft is probably a reasonably capable missile boat of relatively recent construction. Its layout follows typical Russian thinking with the missile tubes beside the bridge firing forward, and a long superstructure extending rearwards almost to the stern. There appears to be a medium caliber gun on the aft deck but something smaller, probably a 30mm CIWS, at the front of the ship. This arrangement with the main gun at the rear is again more typical of Russian missile boat designs than Western ones. Its not credible to say with any degree of certainty what the anti-ship missiles are based on the satellite imagery alone but they do appear not unlike the vertically stacked SS-N-22 Moskit (NATO: Sunburn) supersonic missiles fitted to the Russian Turantul class missile boats. My artists impression shows the somewhat less alarming HY-2 type missiles. The HY-2/Styx family of missiles have several different launch tubes associated with them, including one that is generally similar to the typical SS-N-22 launchers.
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yp
Evidential leads: Google Earth coordinates: 38 42 59N, 125 23 04E Artificial slant-view of craft as per Google Earth:
SES B
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Dimensions : L 35m, W 12m Displacement approx 200t Armament : 2-8 anti-ship missiles (depending on type), 1 x medium caliber gun (85mm?) and 1 x AAA (30mm?) This craft is clearly seen moored alongside the Krivak frigate. It differs from SES-A by having a more squared bow, the medium caliber gun at the front not back, and a more separated superstructure. The shadows also suggest that it has a taller and more extensive mast(s). The anti-ship missiles are not fitted in the satellite imagery but the mountings are clearly visible exactly where youd expect them to be. Again we can only guess at the missile fit. Evidential leads: Google Earth coordinates: 38 43 07N, 125 23 44E
60m Missile Corvette
Dimensions: L 62m, W 7.3m Displacement about 500t Armament: 2 x AK230 30mm AAA, Anti-Ship missiles (probably 2 x HY-2), crewed AAA (i.e. 14.5mm HMG). Found on Google Earth and not referenced elsewhere, this craft appears a modification of the SARIWON class corvette, itself an evolution of the pre-WWII Soviet Tral class minesweeper. Main differences to Sariwon are smaller gun placements with the rear one further aft. Also the shadows reveal large missile bin shaped objects just behind the bridge mounted relatively high up. Evidential leads:
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Google Earth coordinates: 39 19 01 E, 127 24 07 E (screen shot http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1525/mystery1th3.png)

KN-01 Anti-Ship Missile
An improved version of the Russian SS-N-1 Styx missile, or the essentially similar Chinese supplied HY-2 (Silkworm) missile, no pictures of the KN-01 is available. What is known is that the range is far greater than the Styx/Silkworm implying a turbojet engine in place of the original rocket motor. Range is in excess of 100km (about 60 miles). Development of improved longer range Styx goes back over 15 years with test firings reported in the mid 1990s. But the recent test firing last month (May 07) suggests that it is not yet in full scale service. Also, reports indicate shore battery use with no mention of shipboard use although the latter is quite plausible. The artists impression above is based on the idea that it is essentially the same missile as the Iranian Raad which is purely speculation but fits with a certain interpretation of numerous leads involving the closely tied missile developments of the two countries.
Low-observable torpedo boats
Dimensions: L 10-20m, Displacement <80t Armament: 2 x torpedoes (21 or 12.75), light AAA
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Speed: 40kts + Although no hard evidence exists and North Korea employs stealthy torpedo boats, and or submersible torpedo boats, this is far from implausible because it certainly has exported both types of unit to Iran in early 2000s. The vessels supplied to Iran included 10 Tir Class stealth boats (similar to the artists impression above), 10 smaller Peykaap class torpedo boats (which ,may be semisubmersible), and 3-6 fully submersible Taedong torpedo boats. Finding such small boats on Google Earth is very difficult and imprecise but at least three boats closely resembling the Tir class in general layout can be seen at 39 09 38 N, 127 26 40 E. Google Earth screen grab comparison with Iranian Tir Class: http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/516/tircompzw9.png The slightly smaller boats moored alongside the North Korean suspected Tir resemble Peykaaps.
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06-05-2007
#2
planeman
The N ow F amous
Ballistic Missile Programme Speculation continues surrounding the true and near future capabilities of the North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. There is no serious doubt that North Korea is now a nuclear power, and that they possess various forms of ballistic missiles, but the extent to which they have been able to marry the two is still somewhat contentious.
Really really brief backstory Most of North Koreas ballistic missiles are derived from the Soviet SCUD system which they obtained from Egypt. These missiles have been improved and ultimately resulted in crude medium/long range ballistic missiles. Although the SCUD family of missiles could (and has in the past) been converted for naval launch (submarine or ship), they have relatively dangerous fuels that make storage and launch less robust than modern ballistic missiles. Perhaps with this in mind North Korea has attempted to gain more modern ballistic missile tech nology as demonstrated by the 1993 arrest of a team of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) scientists recruited from the Russian Makeyev missile design bureau. Also North Korea has obtained elements of R-27 (SS-N-6) technology which probably includes the solid fuels better suited to naval deployment. Golf-II Class Ballistic Missile Submarine
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Dimensions: L 98m, W 8.2m, Displacement 3553t (submerged) Max speed: 15-17kts surfaced, 12-14kts submerged. Ballistic Missiles: 3 x ballistic missiles, probably modified Nodong-I (related to SCUD, Nodong-I has a maximum range of about 1,300km and theoretically could be modified to carry a nuclear warhead) Torpedoes: 6 x 533mm (21) heavyweight torpedo tubes. Crew: 83 Russia sold 10-12 decommissioned submarines to DPRK in 1993 with deliveries in subsequent years. The exact make-up of the delivery is open to speculation but it was widely and consistently reported to include a number of functional Golf-II class ballistic missile submarines. Generally accepted figure for Golf-IIs involved in the sale is 10. Although Russia maintains that the submarines were to be dismantled under Russian supervision, it was widely thought that DPRK would attempt to bring one or more back into service, possibly by means of cannibalization. The Golf-IIs carried SS-N-4 ballistic missiles in Russian service. Most observers do not believe that any of the subs have been returned to service but the possibility remains and there doesnt seem to be any public domain evidence to confirm either viewpoint. The north Korean Nodong-I missile is related to the SS-N-4 via the SCUD, but is about 1m longer which means that either the missile or the hull would have to be modified to accommodate it, but this is not all that far fetched. Unlike modern ballistic missile submarines the Golf-II is a diesel-electric boat which limits its time underwater relative to other countries SSBNs but on the other hand the technology to maintain and operate these boats is well within DPRKs means relative to nuclear boats. The submarine was designed for underwater launch of the missiles, from depths of up to 50m and speeds of up to 4kts and a firing interval of about 5minutes. Pre-launch time was about 45minutes. Even assuming lower operational specs for returned-toservice DPRK Golf-IIs with Nodong-I, we are still talking about a credible is crude SSBM capability. Evidential leads: Sale widely reported but good source: http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/npr/vol02/21/gerard21.pdf Armed Merchantman
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It is widely speculated that a far more logical way to deploy a ballistic missile is by using medium/large merchant ships as launch platforms. North Korea operates and builds ocean going merchant ships. The missiles could be hidden amongst transport containers.
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06-05-2007
#3
planeman
The N ow F amous
North Korean Submarine Fleet Note: Some submarines are assigned to reconnaissance and infiltration, for details of this mission and equipment see separate section.
22 x Type 031 (Romeo) diesel-electric attack subs 4 x Whiskey class attack/training subs (probably inactive) 20+ x Yugo type midget subs 1 x 41m SSK diesel electric attack sub (probably inactive) 20 + x Sang-O type midget subs 10+ x P-4 type midget subs ??+ x Other midget submarines and wet submarines Type 031 (Romeo) attack sub
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Dimensions: L 76m, W 6.7m, Displacement 1,700t submerged Armament : 8 x 533mm (21) torpedo tubes (6 forward, 2 aft) with up to 14 SEAT-60 heavyweight torpedoes or 28 mines North Korea received some of these boats from China and subsequently locally produced some. Although they are relatively capable they are somewhat dated and ill suited to open ocean operations. There is no evidence to suggest upgrades. Yugo type midget sub
Dimensions: L 20m, W 2m, Displacement 90t (submerged) Speed : 10kts surfaced, 4 kts submerged
Armament: 2 x533-mm externally-mounted torpedoes in drop gear in some variants, possibly torpedo tubes in some and none in infiltration variants.
The Yugo class is so named because it was built to plans supplied by Yugoslavia in 1965. North Korea had started an indigenous midget-submarine programme prior to that but had been somewhat unsuccessful, with a crude submarine being captured by the South in 1965 after its crew abandoned it when it was beached on a mudflat during a receding tide on the Han River: Dimensions: L 5.7m, W 1.1m, Displacement: 3t (submerged) Speed : 7kts (surfaces), 3kts (submerged). Although the indigenous midget submarine appears to have been functional, it was very small and extremely limited for infiltration purposes which appears to be the primary peace-time operation for North Korean Navy.
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The Yugo boats however are much larger and have room for 4-6 infiltrators and can carry torpedoes or mines for the attack role. They are relatively short ranged though so for infiltration (or attack in wartime) operations in the far south, off Japan or further away, they require transportation and launch from a mother ship. The ships were built at Yukdaeso-ri shipyard on the west coast from the late 1960s through to the early 1980s at which time they were superceded by the generally more capable Sang-O type. Contrary to some sources, the North Korean Yugo submarine was not very similar to Yugoslavian operated midget submarines such as the impressive Velebit type.
In the early 1980s North Korea developed a much larger coastal submarine known, rather imaginatively, as the 41m boat. No prizes for guessing the length of this submarine. It is not clear exactly what the boat looked like except that its sail is not unlike the Yugos in profile and that it was not a teardrop hull. The type does not appear to have been successful and only one is reported and it is unlikely to still be operable.
Sang-O type midget sub
Dimensions: L 34m, W 3.8m, Displacement: 370t (submerged) Power: 1 diesel, 1 electric motor, 1 shaftSpeed 7.2kts surfaced, 8.8kts submergedRange: 1500nmMax Depth: 150 metersCrew: 15 Armament (attack sub): 4 x 533-mm torpedoes with no reloads (Inc Russian 53-65 ASW torpedoes)Armament (recce/infiltration version): None. 5 infiltrators and 6 KWP Reconnaissance Bureau Cadre as passengers Developed as a much improved follow-on to the Yugo type, the Sang-O is well known because one was captured by the South during a botched infiltration mission in September 1997. T he Sang-O is much larger and longer ranged than its predecessor. Some boats have the torpedo tubes replaced by a passenger space and diver swim-out door for infiltration and sabotage missions. T he 1500nm range is useful enough to allow the boats to operate without a mother ship in most cases making them much less susceptible to detection. Hypothetically these subs could be modified to carry anti-ship missiles or Shkval rocket-torpedoes but neither capabilities are reported. P-4 type midge t sub
Dimensions: L 29m, Displacement: 190t Armament: 2 x 533mm (21) torpedo tubes (not fitted in infiltration version) Another improved midget submarine design, the P-4 is smaller than the Sang-O but also seemingly more advanced. It features an unusual co-axle twin propeller consisting of a large skewed propeller and a much smaller conventional propeller; this arrangement is
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believed to be an attempt to reduce the submarines noise signature. An example of this type of submarine was captured during an infiltration mission in 1998 and subsequently put into service with the South Korean Navy emphasizing the build quality of the boat. Interestingly the sensors of the captured boat, including the sonar, were of Japanese origin.
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06-05-2007
#4
planeman
The N ow F amous
Infiltration Mission North Korea is one of the few countries publicly proven to engage in infiltration of spies, saboteurs and extraction of kidnapped civilians via its naval vessels. Mostly this aspect of naval matters is overseen by the KWP Reconnaissance Bureau rather
than the regular navy. Primary targets are South Korea and Japan.
Although it is hard to say how much of this goes on, several craft have been captured or sunk over the years.
Type-A Basic High-Speed infiltration craft
Dimensions: L 11m, Displacement 3t Speed: 50kts Armament : Small arms and crew carried weapons, possibly including short range air-defence missiles and RPGs. Probably the first type of infiltration craft used, these are disguised as small fishing boats but the upper structures are fake. Because the craft is very short ranged it has to be carried near to its target by a mother ship which is itself disguised as a fishing boat (see below). The craft is vulnerable to detection by radar and is believed to be less commonly employed in recent years although one was captured by the Japanese in the late 1990s after its mother ship was sunk during a prolonged gun battle with Japanese Coast Guard.
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Once the craft is close to the enemy shore the infiltrators land by swimming, probably aided by a small hand held underwater propulsion pack that looks like a torpedo.
Example Mother Ship
Dimensions: L 30m, W 4.5m, Displacement: 44t Speed : 33kts Armament : 1 x twin ZPU2 14.5mm AAA (concealed). Pedestal mount for 73mm SPG9 recoilless rifle (disguised as a winch), small arms and shoulder launched weapons (SA-16 Igla MANPAD (SAM), RPG etc). Outwardly appearing as a fishing vessel, this craft can carry an infiltration boat in a rear hanger concealed behind clamshell doors and similar in concept to a Land Ship Docks (LSD) well deck. Because the hanger is quite small non-submersible infiltration craft which are disguised as fishing boats (see above) must be assembled partly outside the hanger which makes the operation prone to discovery. North Korea must use a wide range of mother ships some with hangers, some possibly towing their infiltration craft. This craft is remarkably fast and has a hull not unlike a typical missile boat rather than a real fishing vessel.
Type-B Submersible Infiltration Landing Craft (SILC)
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Dimensions: L 9.3m, W2.54, Displacement: 5 tons (est) Speed: 30-40 kts surfaced; 12kts semi-submerged (est) Range: 300nm surfaced (est) Compliment: 3 (2x crew, 3 pax) Armament: small arms
The first submersible infiltration craft was captured in 1983 by South Korean forces. The boat is launched from a mother ship as per the High Speed boat above, and approaches the coast at high speed. Close to the shore where radar/visual detection is most likely, the boat floods a compartment under the long foredeck and sinks to the point that the deck is awash and only the cabin is exposed. The passengers reach the shore by swimming. Type-B is not a North Korean designation. An improved version of the Type-B is reported with the cabin divided into two separate structures, one over the bridge and one over the passenger compartment. This arrangement is apparently intended to reduce the radar cross-section during the semi-submerged phase of the mission:
Type-C (SP-10H) Submersible Infiltration Landing craft (SILC)
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Dimensions: L 9.3m, W2.54m, Displacement : 5 tons Speed: 30-40 kts surfaced; 12kts semisubmerged Range: 300nm surfaced Compliment: 6 (2x crew, 4 passengers) Armament: small arms
Captured during an infiltration mission in South Korea, this boat is generally the most widely reported and pictured example, but its generally only a minor variation on the Type-B. Type-D Improved-SILC
Dimensions: L 12.8m, W2.95m, Displacement: 10.5 tons Machinery: 3x 250 or 260 hp V8 (Johnson/OMC, etc) Speed: 40-50kts surfaced, 4-6 kts submerged Range: 200nm Diving Depth: 3m snorkeling, 20 m maximum Crew: 8 (4x crew, 1-2 escorts, 1-3 infiltrators) Radar: Japanese made Furuno 1830 Armament: small arms
The I-SILC is fully submersible (i.e. a submarine) but approaches the shore at high speed on the surface like previous SILC. However, it can run almost fully submerged 3m below the surface with only the snorkel mast above the surface (the larger mast towards the rear of the boat). When not in use
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the snorkel folds aft to reduce the silhouette and radar signature. In an emergency the boat can submerge completely to a depth of 20m (some sources say 25m) to avoid detection, but when fully submerged it cannot travel forward because it lacks electric motors. Modular midget-submarine Details: unknown Despite its crude construction, this submarine is conceptually quite advanced; it can be dismantled and transported close to its target by larger infiltration craft. In simplistic terms the submarine consists of a pressure vessel and three box-like floodable flotation tanks which are attached to the outside of the sub. The tanks have a boat shaped bow to assist surface running. At least one example was captured in 1979. SBS-2 Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Dimensions: L 4.8m, W 0.76m, Displacement: 0.58 tons Power: 1 electric motor, 1 shaft Speed: 4 knots Range: 85nm Depth: 5-8 meters Crew: 2 A typical wet-submarine used by frogmen, this boat is probably intended primarily for special forces strike using limpet mines.
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06-05-2007
#5
planeman
The N ow F amous
Conventional naval units

Some sources may not agree with numbers and minor details but overall view is pretty consistent. Larger warships: 1 x Soho class missile frigate 2 x Najin class missile frigates 4 x Sariwon class gun corvettes 2 x Tral class gun corvettes Fast Attack Craft (missile) 27 x Osa-I type missile boats
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(15 x Soju Class missile boats) (8 x Osa-I missile boats) (4 x Huangfeng class missile boats) 3 x Chong-ju class missile boats 16 x Komar type missile boats (6 x Sohung class missile boats) (10 x Komar type missile boats) Fast Attack Craft (Torpedo): 3 x Shershen torpedo boats ? x Sinnam torpedo boats 40+ x Sin Hung torpedo boats 12 x PT-6 torpedo boats ? x P4 torpedo boats (retired?) 1 x Chong Ju torpedo boat Fast Attack Craft (Rocket) 62 x Chaho class 2 x Chong Ju class
Gun boats 7 x Taechong-I class 5 x Taechong-II class 6 x Hainan class 3 x Chodo class 18 x SO-1 class 12 x Shanghai-II class ?? x Shantou class ++
Soho class missile frigate
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Dimensions: L 73.8m, W 15.5m, Displacement 1,845t Armament : 4 x SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missiles, 1 x 100mm main gun (crewed), 2 x AK-230 30mm AAA (automatic), 2 x twin 37mm AAA (crewed), 2 x 25mm AAA (crewed), 4 x RBU-1200 ASW rockets Aircraft: Landing pad only, 1 x Mil Mi-17 Haze Speed: About 25kts (highest estimate 27kts, lowest 23kts) Built in 1983 in Najin, in service with the Eastern fleet, the infamous Soho class FFG is widely reported and listed by numerous credible sources, but few illustrations and seemingly no photos of this warship exist in Western media. An indigenous design noteworthy for its distinctive feature is that it employs a catamaran hull, the relative lack of activity and no further units suggest that it was not a success.
Najin class light missile frigate
Dimensions: L 102m, W 10m, Displacement about 1,500t Armament : 2 x SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missiles, 2 x 100mm main guns (crewed), 2 x twin 57mm AAA (crewed), 2 x AK-230 30mm AAA (automatic), 8 x twin 25mm AAA (crewed), depth charge rails
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Aircraft: none Speed: Est 24kts
Built in the early 1970s the Najin class is essentially the North Korean version of the Soviet Kola class light frigate, although curiously enough these were being built right about the time the Russian Navy was scrapping its Kolas. Despite their dated heritage, these ships are among the few truly ocean going warships of the North Korean fleet and have been relatively active, used as recovery ship escorts during north Koreas ballistic missile test launches. The original weapons fit included triple 533mm (21) ASW torpedo tubes amidships but these were replaced by twin missile launchers and an extensively rebuilt superstructure in the early 1980s. By modern standards these ship have extremely weak air defenses (despite bristling with AAA) and a somewhat puny anti-ship armament. It is incredible that the North Korean navy has not embraced automatic mid-caliber naval guns as has virtually every other navy.
Sariwon class gun corvette
Dimensions: L 62m, W 7.3m, Displacement about 500t Armament: 1 x 85mm main gun (crewed), 1 x twin 57mm AAA (crewed), 4 x twin 37mm AAA (crewed, Some sources say twin 14.5mm). Speed: 18kts Basically an improved version of the older Soviet supplied Tral class minesweepers that are also used as gun corvettes (see below), the Sariwon is relatively limited in the modern environment. Sources conflict over the exact number built but at least some are active on the east coast.
Tral class gun corvettes
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Dimensions: L 62m, W 7.3m, Displacement about 500t Armament: 1 x 85mm main gun (crewed), 2 x twin 57mm AAA (crewed), 4 x 37mm AAA (crewed, Some sources say twin 14.5mm). Speed: 18kts Of pre-WWII Soviet minesweeper design, the Tral class are essentially obsolete and used for coastal patrol. Some sources suggest only one remains in service.
Soju/Osa-I type missile boats
Dimensions: L 43m, W 7.5m, Displacement 220t Armament : 4 x SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missiles, 2 x AK-230 30mm AAA (automatic, 2 x twin 25mm crewed AAA in some units as illustrated). Speed: 34kts The Soviets supplied 8 boats and North Korea locally produced 15 as the Soju class. The boats are
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essentially identical. Some sources, including a popular South Korean illustration of missile boats in tunnels, suggest that North Korea has Osa-II boats also but this is unconfirmed.
Type 021 HuangFeng class missile boats Dimensions: L 39m, W 7.5m, Displacement 220t Armament : 4 x HY-2 Silkworm anti-ship missiles, 2 x AK-230 30mm AAA (automatic). Speed: 35kts Chinese supplied variant of Osa-I design, it is not clear whether North Koreas boats feature the improved Rice Lamp fire control radar (see aft radome in illustration). Chong Ju missile boats
Dimensions: L 42m, W 7.2m, Displacement 205t. Armament: 4 x SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missiles, 2 x AK-230 30mm AAA (automatic) Speed: 22.5kts Outwardly similar to the Soju/Osa-I missile boats, this design is actually a variation on the Chong Ju type. These boats are quite slow for fast attack craft but may retain the sonar of the other Chong Ju boats. If the sonar is removed, maximum speed may be increased. Only three units were produces suggesting that it was not a huge success, or at least not a sufficient improvement over the Soju/Osa-I to warrant extended production. Komar type missile boats
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Dimensions: L 27m, W 6.4m, Displacement 80t Armament : 2 x SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missiles, 1 x twin 25mm AAA (crewed) Speed: 30kts The original Soviet missile boat design, 10 Komar boats were supplied and a further 6 locally produced as the Sohung class. These boats are dated and some may be inoperable.
Shershen class torpedo boats
Dimensions: L 34m, W 6.8m, Displacement 160t Armament : 4 x 533mm (21 ) heavyweight torpedoes, 2 x AK-230 twin 30mm AAA (automatic).
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Speed: 42kts

Although only three boats serve, these are probably the most capable of North Koreas torpedo boats (discounting suspected unknown types). Sin Hung light torpedo boats
Dimensions: L 18m, W 3.4m, Displacement: 25t Armament : 2 x 450mm (17.7) medium weight torpedoes, 2 x twin 14.5mm AAA (crewed) Speed: 40kts Small and agile but extremely dated, the Sin Hung class is probably the most numerous North Korean torpedo boat and generally representative of the rest.
Chaho class rocket boats
Dimensions: L 28m, W 6.1m, Displacement 82t Armament : 1 x 40(?) tube 122mm BM-21 rocket launcher with about 80 reloads, 1 x Zu-23 23mm AAA (crewed, bow), 1 x 14.5mm AAA (crewed, stern) Speed: 40kts Indigenous design, these small fast patrol boats pack a powerful punch although the accuracy and effectiveness of the rocket launcher is open to question. Interestingly three Chaho were supplied to
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Iran but feature a different superstructure with mast further aft, and Chinese 107mm MRLS. Chong Ju class rocket boats
Dimensions: L 42m, W 7.2m, Displacement 205t. Armament: 1 x 40(?) tube 122mm BM-21 rocket launcher with up to 80 reloads, 1 x 85mm main gun (crewed), 2 x twin 14.5mm AAA (crewed) Speed: 22.5kts Much larger than the more numerous Chaho boats, this class features a sonar although its purpose is confusing given its armament. As with the Chaho the sources differ as to the exact number of tubes in the MRL. Reloads are stored in the bins at the rear of the boat. Taechong-I gun boat
Dimensions: L 60m, Displacement about 250t Armament : 1 x 85mm main gun (crewed), 1 x 57mm AAA (crewed), 1 x 25mm AAA (crewed), 1 x 14.5mm AAA (crewed), 2 x RBU-1200 ASW rockets, depth charges Speed: 30kts Slightly bigger and better than the previous Chinese and Russian supplied gun boats (often designed
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as Sub Chasers but woefully inadequate as such), the Taechong class is representative of a large number of generally similar gun armed patrol boats employed by North Korea.
Taechong-II gun boat
Dimensions: L 60m, Displacement about 250t Armament : 1 x 85mm main gun (crewed), 1 x 57mm AAA (crewed), 2 x AK-230 twin 30mm AAA (automatic)5mm AAA (crewed), 2 x 14.5mm AAA (crewed), depth charges Speed: 30kts An improved version of the Taechong with noticeably improved air defences, the Taechong-II boats are probably the most modern conventional gunboats now in service with the North Korean Navy.
North Korea operates numerous other gun boats and minor units, as well as some landing ships and about 55 hovercraft.
List of Google Earth items of interest:
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06-06-2007
#6
Abbadon the Despoiler

Banned user Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: U nion of S ocialist Youth H onorary M ember 5,596 P osts:
great post! thanks a lot for the info and welcome to the forum
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06-06-2007
#7
daily666
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Fantastic stuff, thanks a lot for sharing! Uh, and welcome to the forums mate.
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06-06-2007
#8
PRMC09
Banned user Join Date: Location: banned. I'm A ge: P osts: M ay 2007 aka S cottie, also really not that clev er. 20 81
Very good drawings, and information.!
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06-06-2007
#9
Xav
S enior M ember
Superb post! The Krivak class, stealth SES, Golf-II C lass Ballistic Missile Submarine and armed merchantman in NORKOR service are all new to me but makes sense now (or sound very likely) What were the main sources of your research?
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Very informative, thanks again.
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06-06-2007
#10
Dispatcher
I do bad things to bad people
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I actually learned stuff reading this post. Thank you, now my brain hurts. Excellent post! Welcome to the board!
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06-06-2007
#11
Lefty
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Excellent post, and a great read!
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#12
Hispeed1
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Great informative post. Thanks!
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06-06-2007
#13
Luno
S enior M ember
great post! thanks a lot for the info
Must print it so i have something to read tonight
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#14
muttbutt
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Fine way to arrive on the forum, interesting and informative.
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02-02-2008
#15
planeman
The N ow F amous
Hi, thanks for the kind words. I'm currently looking for any photos or illustrations of North Korean air defenses, especially AAA. Not Google Earth though, thanks C heers.
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Bluffer's Guide - North Korean Naval Power 2007

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11/24/2010

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

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Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Original artwork and research by Planeman, with lots of help

Mystery vehicles, emerging technology and speculation

The Krivak Frigate

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

60m Missile Corvette

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Google Earth coordinates: 39 19 01 E, 127 24 07 E (screen shot http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1525/mystery1th3.png)

Low-observable torpedo boats

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Sang-O type midget sub

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Type-A Basic High-Speed infiltration craft

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Example Mother Ship

Type-B Submersible Infiltration Landing Craft (SILC)

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Type-C (SP-10H) Submersible Infiltration Landing craft (SILC)

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Conventional naval units

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Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Soho class missile frigate

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Najin class light missile frigate

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Sariwon class gun corvette

Tral class gun corvettes

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Soju/Osa-I type missile boats

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Shershen class torpedo boats

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Chaho class rocket boats

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

Taechong-II gun boat

List of Google Earth items of interest:

Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

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Bluffers guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007

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