North Korea’s Frigate Bristles With A Comical Number Of Machine Guns
Summary
North Korea's newest warship, the Kang Kon, is a heavily armed frigate-class vessel that was recently demonstrated to leader Kim Jong Un, showcasing its wide range of weapon systems including 12 nuclear-capable cruise missiles, a 5-inch main gun, and Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS). Despite North Korea classifying it as a destroyer, the ship's approximately 5,000 metric ton displacement aligns more closely with international frigate classifications, and it is one of two Choi-Hyun class warships built so far, with two more reportedly under construction. One of the most striking features of the Kang Kon is its unusually high number of KPV-series heavy machine guns, with at least 12 visible firing from the port side alone, including remotely operated twin mounts and manually operated single mounts embedded in the superstructure. The ship also features 74 vertical launch system cells capable of accommodating various missiles, potentially including ballistic missiles, as well as what appears to be a Russian-made Pantsir-ME CIWS system. The proliferation of machine guns likely reflects growing concerns about drone and unmanned vessel threats, a trend also observed in the Russian Navy, with which North Korea has maintained a notable military supply relationship.
Key Takeaways
- 1. The Kang Kon is a heavily armed North Korean warship featuring an unusually large number of KPV-series 14.5mm heavy machine guns, with at least 12 visible on the port side alone
- 2. The vessel successfully demonstrated multiple weapons systems for Kim Jong Un, including 12 strategic nuclear-capable cruise missiles, suggesting significant offensive nuclear delivery capability
- 3. Despite North Korea's classification of the ship as a destroyer, its 5,000-ton displacement makes it more comparable to an internationally recognized frigate
- 4. The excessive machine gun armament likely reflects real-world lessons learned from drone and unmanned vessel warfare, particularly from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine
- 5. North Korea's close military relationship with Russia, including supplying troops and ballistic missiles, may have influenced the ship's design philosophy and weapons configuration