North Korea has presented an updated version of its most advanced warship, the Choe Hyon (51) missile destroyer, just six months after its official commissioning.
The vessel, displayed during the “Defense Development 2025” event in Pyongyang, underwent a series of significant modifications to its weapons systems, sensors, and structural design. The exhibition also coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and precedes the ship’s new deployment on the country’s east coast, scheduled for early next year.
Key changes include upgrades to the vertical launch system (VLS), whose missile cells were redesigned and reorganized, reducing the total from 74 to 68, as well as the replacement of the old AK-630 automatic guns with close-in weapon systems inspired by the Chinese Type 730 model. The ship also received new heavy machine guns and its anti-tank missile launchers and countermeasure systems were repositioned. These modifications indicate a potential reconfiguration of armaments, focusing on greater versatility and offensive capability.
The changes extend to the electronic suite, with new fire control radars and adjustments to electronic warfare systems, as well as a more modern, technologically advanced interior that surprised international observers.
The rapid replacement of equipment tested in April raises questions about the destroyer’s modular development and North Korea’s naval strategy to enhance its Choe Hyon-class destroyer fleet, which is expected to gain at least three more units in the coming years.
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @clashreport | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the new 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer.
This is one of two destroyers launched in 2025; a third due in 2026. pic.twitter.com/oLaJLzFZl0
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 6, 2025
