List of active North Korean ships
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Components |
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Korean People's Navy |
History |
History of the Korean People's Navy |
Ships |
Current Fleet |
Naval Bases |
Personnel |
Senior Officers |
This is a list of active ships of the Korean People's Army Naval Force. It is incomplete, as public information on the state's military is incomplete. Many of the vessels are ex-Soviet or Chinese vessels, some designs dating from 1950s.
Submarines
Type | Class | Country of Origin | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Diesel-electric submarine | Sinpo-class | ![]() |
1 (under construction) | First vessel in shipyard 2014, possibly others to come as a replacement for the Romeo subs.[1][2] |
Diesel-electric coastal submarine | Sang-O-class | ![]() |
40+ | Manufactured in two variants, 34m Sang-O and 39m Sang-O II. 1 captured by ROK. North Korean Special Operation Force uses specially equipped Sang-O for missions. |
Diesel-electric midget submarine | Yono-class | ![]() |
~10 | Variant exported to Iran and operated as Ghadir-class submarine |
Diesel-electric midget submarine | Yugo-class | ![]() |
few or none left | reported all retired or sold. Replaced by Yono and Sang-O |
Diesel-electric submarine | Type-033 (Romeo)-class | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
<22 | KPA Journal reports that these are being phased out in favor of Sang-O/Sang-O II[3] Sold as kits from China and was assembled in NK. Used by North Korean Special Operation Force for special maritime missions. |
Diesel-electric submarine | Whiskey-class | ![]() |
4 (reported retired as of March 2011) | KPA Journal reports that these have been retired and/or scrapped[3]
however at least one submarine was seen operative during 2013 exercises: [4] |
Diesel-electric ballistic missile submarine | Golf II-class | ![]() |
10 | Purchased in 1994 from Russia, who declared them scrap. Believed used in SLBM tests in 2015 & 2016.[6][7] |
Note: According to http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/20_05_10jigreport.pdf, "The North Korean military is in possession of a fleet of about 70 submarines, comprised of approximately 20 Romeo class submarines (1,800 tons), 40 Sang-O class submarines (300 tons) and 10 midget submarines including the Yono class submarines (130 tons)."
Frigates & Corvettes
Type | Class | Country of Origin | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Frigate | Krivak-class | ![]() |
1(?) | Unknown status of service. [8] |
Light frigate | Najin-class | ![]() |
2 | Old vessels, one was modernized in 2014[9] |
Experimental catamaran frigate | Soho-class | ![]() |
1 | Reported retired in 2009.[10] |
Helicopter-carrying light frigate | Nampo-class | ![]() |
2 ~ 3 | New buildings.[11] |
Corvette | Sariwon-class | ![]() |
4 | Based on Tral-class |
Corvette | Tral-class | ![]() |
2 | Probably in reserve due to old age. |
Note: Satellite images from 2007 indicate that the empty hull of a Krivak-class frigate was purchased by North Korea around 2003. The ship was likely bought from a Russian scrap dealer, lacking any weapons or radar upon purchase. While it was assumed that North Korea purchased the hull for scrap metal, it remains in its original state for nearly five years, and has been transported from Wonsan to Nampo Harbor.
Note: Satellite images from 2007 also show 2 new North Korean Helicopter Frigates. Though it's unknown whether they are ready for service. [12][13]
Torpedo boats & missile craft
Type | Class | Country of Origin | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
SES Stealth missile boat | Nongo class | ![]() |
6 | [14][15] |
PTG missile craft | Soju class/Osa I class missile boat | ![]() |
8 | |
PTG missile craft | Huangfeng class | ![]() |
4 | |
PTG small missile boat | Sohung/Komar class | ![]() ![]() |
6 | |
PTG missile craft | Komar class missile boat | ![]() |
6 | |
PT torpedo boat | Shershen class | ![]() ![]() |
3 | |
PT torpedo boat | Sinnam class torpedo boat | ![]() |
N/A | |
PT small torpedo boat | Sin Hung class torpedo boat / Ku Song class torpedo boat | ![]() |
142 | |
PT small torpedo boat | P-6 class torpedo boat | ![]() |
12 | |
torpedo boat | Ku Song class torpedo boat | ![]() |
60 |
Patrol boats
![](../I/m/North_Korean_Navy_ship.jpg)
Type | Class | Country of Origin | In Service |
---|---|---|---|
PG gun patrol boat | T Class patrol boat | ![]() |
N/A |
PG gun patrol boat | Mayang class patrol boat | ![]() |
N/A |
PC large coastal patrol boat | Taechong class I/II patrol boat | ![]() |
13 |
PC large coastal patrol boat | Hainan class | ![]() |
6 |
PC coastal patrol boat | Chodo class patrol boat | ![]() |
3 |
PC/PT/PTG/WPC coastal/torpedo/armed patrol boat | Chong-Ju class patrol boat | ![]() |
6 |
PC coastal patrol boat | SO-1 class patrol boat | ![]() |
19 |
Coastal patrol boat | Shanghai II class | ![]() |
13 |
PC small coastal patrol boats | Sinpo class (Steel version of P-6) | ![]() |
18 |
Coastal patrol boat | K-48 class | ![]() |
N/A |
Patrol boat | Chongjin class | ![]() |
54 |
Torpedo/patrol boat | P-6 class | ![]() |
N/A |
Fast attack craft | Chaho class (Based on P-6 torpedo boats) | ![]() |
59 |
Patrol boat | Shantou class | ![]() |
N/A |
Utility/landing craft
Type | Class | Country of Origin | In Service |
---|---|---|---|
LCU utility landing craft | Hantae class | ![]() |
8-10 |
LCM medium landing craft | Hungnam class | ![]() |
15 |
LCU medium landing craft | Hanchon class | ![]() |
15 |
LCPA amphibious landing craft | Kong Bang class I/II/III | ![]() |
N/A |
LCP Landing Craft, Personnel | Nampo class | ![]() |
95 |
PT assault torpedo boats | Chong Jin class - based on Chaho class | ![]() |
51 |
LCPA amphibious landing craft | Nampo class A/B | ![]() |
N/A |
LCVP Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel | Nampo class | ![]() |
100 |
ACV assault hovercraft | Kongbang class | ![]() |
135-140 |
Minesweeping boats | Yukto class | ![]() |
23 |
Fleet Ocean Tug | AT/F | ![]() |
2 |
WPB coastal cutters | Yongdo class | ![]() |
N/A |
WPB coastal cutters | N/A | ![]() |
N/A |
ASR submarine rescue ship (Catamaran-hulled rescue/salvage ship) | Kowan class | ![]() |
N/A |
AS - Submarine Tender | N/A | ![]() |
1 |
Ocean AGHS - Patrol Combatant Support Ship | N/A | ![]() |
1 |
Inshore AGHS - Patrol Combatant Support Ship | N/A | ![]() |
3 |
See also
References
- ↑ Joseph s. Bermudez Jr. (19 October 2014). "The North Korean Navy Acquires a New Submarine". 38 North. U.S.-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ↑ "Media Busters: Is North Korea Building a Ballistic Missile Submarine?". 38 North. U.S.-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
- 1 2 Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. (March 2011). "KPA Journal Vol.2, No.3" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-11-01.
- ↑ http://www.iranmilitaryforum.net/military-news-discussion/north-korean-military-thread/225/
- ↑ Feinberg, Ashley. "North Korea's Brand New Ballistic Sub Discontinued by Soviets in 1990". Retrieved 2016-08-24.
- ↑ "North Korea test-launches "Polaris-1" ballistic missile from submarine". Retrieved 2016-08-24.
- ↑ "North Korea submarine fires ballistic missile - BBC News". Retrieved 2016-08-24.
- ↑ http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/11/07/2007110761022.html
- ↑ http://www.nknews.org/2014/12/kpa-navy-flag-ship-undergoing-radical-modernization/
- ↑ http://38north.org/2014/05/jbermudez051514/
- ↑ http://38north.org/2014/05/jbermudez051514/
- ↑ Yoo, Yong Won & Arumdaunchonsa (2007-11-07). "유용원의 군사세계: 북한 남포항에 3000t급 러시아 호위함이 왜? (A 3000t Russian Frigate in North Korea's Nampo Harbor?)". Chosun. Retrieved 2007-11-07.(Korean)
- ↑ Jin, So Pyung (2007-11-07). "북한해군의 3000톤급 프리깃 (North Korea's 3000t class Frigate)". DC Inside. Retrieved 2007-11-07.(English)
- ↑ http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/world-armed-forces/bluffer-s-guide-north-korean-naval-power-2007-a-3229.html
- ↑ http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?209686-The-Unofficial-Korean-People-s-Army-Thread/page27
- ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/p-nongo.htm
- ↑ http://spioenkop.blogspot.it/2014/06/north-korean-kh-35-anti-ship-missiles.html
- ↑ http://38north.org/2015/02/jbermudez020815/