How North Korea’s New Warship Exposes Fast Shipbuilding Tricks | WSJ

Key Concepts:

• Side launch of ships
• Choe Hyon class destroyer
• Russian naval technology assistance to North Korea
• Grigorovich-class frigates
• Pantsir-M short-range anti-missile air defense system
• Modernization of North Korean Navy
• Propaganda tool
• Operational engagement capability
• Nuclear weapon delivery platform

1. North Korea's Naval Modernization and the Capsized Destroyer:

• North Korea attempted a side launch of a new 5,000-ton Choe Hyon class destroyer, which resulted in the ship capsizing.
• Despite the setback, the incident reveals a significant push by North Korea to modernize its navy, which has historically relied on Soviet-era technology.
• The Choe Hyon class destroyer, along with another successfully launched in April, represents North Korea's most sophisticated vessels to date.

2. Russian Technological Assistance:

• Naval analyst Mike Plunkett from Janes suggests that it would be impossible for North Korea to build such ships quickly without outside assistance.
• Design elements of the Choe Hyon class destroyer closely resemble Russia's Grigorovich-class frigates, indicating Russian involvement.
• Specific similarities include the squared-off stern, the profile of the foredeck and bow, and the chine (the line marking the change in hull slope).
• The sharper rake (steeper angle) of the bow on the North Korean ship is attributed to its greater length (approximately 65 feet longer than the Russian frigate).
• The increased length is likely due to the incorporation of more weaponry and missile systems.
• Russian assistance would be needed to safely and quickly integrate the additional length and weaponry into the hull.

3. Pantsir-M Air Defense System:

• Moscow appears to have supplied Pyongyang with the Pantsir-M, a Russian-only short-range anti-missile air defense system.
• The presence of the Pantsir-M on the Choe Hyon class destroyer marks the first time this system has been seen on a warship outside of the Russian Navy.
• This confirms a direct export of advanced military technology from Russia to North Korea.

4. Kim Jong Un's Visit to Russia and Potential Sales Pitch:

• Kim Jong Un visited the headquarters of the Russian Pacific Fleet in 2023.
• The visit was likely a sales pitch, showcasing Russian naval technology that could be offered or was in the process of being handed over to North Korea.

5. Construction Speed and Potential Issues:

• North Korea claimed to have built the first destroyer in roughly 400 days, which is faster than China (18 months for a similar class) and significantly faster than Russia (up to 11 years for a frigate).
• The rapid construction raises questions about whether the ships are fully completed.
• Evidence suggests that the ships may not have engines fitted.
• Vents in the funnel, which are used to take in air for cooling the engine and other machinery, are blanked off with metal plates.
• The ships have only been seen moving with the assistance of tugs.
• The waterline is significantly above the water, indicating that the ship is very lightly loaded and missing a large amount of mass.

6. Propaganda and Threat Potential:

• The Choe Hyon warships serve as a powerful propaganda tool for Kim Jong Un.
• North Korea demonstrated its ability to fire missiles from the ship.
• Even if the ships lack engines, the possibility that they could carry and launch nuclear weapons is a threatening development.
• More modern platforms entering North Korean service complicate South Korea's calculus on how to deal with the North Korean Navy.
• The new warships provide North Korea with more options for striking at South Korea or US bases in the region.

7. Notable Quotes:

• Mike Plunkett (Naval Analyst, Janes): "On the surface of it, these ships are very impressive. They are modern, they have wide range of capabilities, but there are a few hints that they may not be everything that they appear to be."
• Mike Plunkett (Naval Analyst, Janes): "It would be impossible for North Korea to build a ship this quickly without outside assistance."

Conclusion:

North Korea's naval modernization efforts, particularly the development of the Choe Hyon class destroyer, are heavily reliant on Russian technological assistance. While the ships serve as a propaganda tool and demonstrate North Korea's ambition to modernize its military, questions remain about their operational capabilities and whether they are fully functional. The potential for these ships to carry and launch nuclear weapons poses a significant threat to regional security.