Bluffer’s guide: North Korean Naval Power 2007
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
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 doesn’t 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
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 we’ve 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 – I’d 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 can’t 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 source’s 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:
Google Earth coordinates: 39 09 36N, 127 26 44E
Korean news article appearing to relate to this type (careful re translation):
General description of SES:
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.
It’s 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 artist’s 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.
Evidential leads:
Google Earth coordinates: 38 42 59N, 125 23 04E
Artificial slant-view of craft as per Google Earth:
SES ‘B’
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 you’d 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:
Google Earth coordinates: 39 19 01 E, 127 24 07 E (screen shot )
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 Ra’ad 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
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 artist’s impression above), 10 smaller Peykaap class torpedo boats (which ,may be semi-submersible), 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: The slightly smaller boats moored alongside the North Korean suspected “Tir” resemble Peykaaps.
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
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 doesn’t 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
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 we’ve 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 – I’d 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 can’t 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 source’s 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:
Google Earth coordinates: 39 09 36N, 127 26 44E
Korean news article appearing to relate to this type (careful re translation):
General description of SES:
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.
It’s 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 artist’s 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.
Evidential leads:
Google Earth coordinates: 38 42 59N, 125 23 04E
Artificial slant-view of craft as per Google Earth:
SES ‘B’
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 you’d 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:
Google Earth coordinates: 39 19 01 E, 127 24 07 E (screen shot )
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 Ra’ad 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
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 artist’s impression above), 10 smaller Peykaap class torpedo boats (which ,may be semi-submersible), 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: The slightly smaller boats moored alongside the North Korean suspected “Tir” resemble Peykaaps.