North Korea officially introduced its newest battle ship called Choi Hyon, which Western experts are classified as a destroyer. Estimates of its construction indicate that this ship has been assembled in less than a year, which may indicate a powerful rate of development of the country's military fleet. It is known that the destroyer received the corps number 51, which is likely to be reference to the American destroyers of the class Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), which emphasizes North Korea ambitions in the international arena.
According to preliminary estimates, Choi Hyon's destroyer is about 5,000 tons, although this figure has not yet been confirmed by independent sources. Despite this, the visual analysis of the ship makes it possible that it is extremely saturated with a variety of weapons.
One of the key characteristics of the new destroyer is its firing power. Deck artillery: a large tool is probably placed on the nose of the ship, probably 127 mm caliber. The CIWS system (CIWS): A feed is installed on the feed that is similar to the Russian platform complex, which combines automatic guns and low range missiles. It may be local development or delivery from Russia. Counteraction to threats: the superstructure has modules for the muffling of radio -electronic fighting systems and launches for small range missiles, which are probably intended for airfilling and prototic defense. Anti -Superior missiles: There is a special case in the middle part of the ship to accommodate anti -ship missiles. One of the most striking elements is the presence of a vertical launch system (VLS). This allows Choi Hyon to strike a long range due to the large number of starting cells. There are 74 VLS cells of different types on the ship: 10 excess cells, 20 large cells, 12 middle cells, 32 small cells. Small cells are likely to be designed for landscapes of the Earth-Air class, which provide air defense of the ship, and medium and large-for anti-ship and winged missiles. In particular, it is likely that these missiles can be equipped with nuclear combat units, which significantly increases the threat to the enemy. Choi Hyon is equipped with a four -sided radar system with an active phased antenna lattice (AFFA), which allows you to effectively identify targets over long distances. Additional sensors and communication equipment are integrated into the superstructure of the ship, which increases its tactical capabilities. The ship's feed has a flight deck that allows you to plant helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles, but the absence of Angar limits the possibility of storage and maintenance of aviation on board.
Choi Hyon projected a clear focus on maximizing fire power. The high weapons density for such a ship and the presence of a large number of starting installations enable it to strike a long range. This suggests that the destroyer will perform the functions of a mobile platform to start rocket attacks. However, despite its powerful weapons, there are doubts about the real capabilities of ensuring effective air defense and the survivability of the ship in combat. The technological level of sensory systems and fire control systems probably lags behind modern Western counterparts, which can become a weak venue for the ship. In addition, the preparation of the crew may also not meet the high standards set on Western wars.
The Choi Hyon, presented by North Korea, testifies to the serious ambitions of the DPRK to modernize its Armed Forces and the development of the fleet. The high fire power and multifunctionality of the ship make it an important component of the country's strategic power that seeks to expand its military capabilities. However, the question of the efficiency and survivability of the ship in real combat conditions, as well as technological separation from Western counterparts, can be critical factors in assessing its combat capability.
