First the blamash, now the show of strength. Trials of the Kang Kon missile destroyer

North Korea has informed of naval attempts by a missile destroyer Kang Kon, carried out on 3 July. In their course, a maneuvering missile was launched, ship artillery and combat systems were tested. Kim Jong Un ordered the ship to be in service in the next two months.

Kang Kon After a failed watering, he returns to the game

North Korea showed a missile destroyer Kang Kon during combat systems trials. It's more important than a propaganda slogan about a "new ship." The North Korean new acquisition is already after repairs, undergoing sea trials and as announced by Pjongjangu is to be inducted into service in a very short time.

Here comes the most important context. Last year's launching was supposed to be a demonstration of the progress of the North Korean ship industry and the modernization of the fleet, and ended with a blamash. The ship swam over on the slope, turned to the side and was partially sunk. For Pjongjang, it was a blow all the more so that the whole operation was to show the state and its ship industry.

Now the regime shows the same destroyer already during sea trials. According to the North Korean communications, target detection systems, radars, communications, radio-electronic countermeasures were checked during the process, and Ship armaments. From the deck Kang Kona A maneuvering missile was also launched and ship artillery was used. Trials were watched by Kim Jong Un, who ordered the work to be completed and the ship entered service within two months.

Kang Kon launched a maneuvering missile and led artillery fire

During attempts from the destroyer Kang Kon, a maneuvering missile was launched and a ship artillery fire was carried out. Automatic guns and radio-electronic combat systems were also checked. Kim Jong Un was supposed to order the simultaneous launch of all departments, even though he had previously been presented the results of combat control systems.

It's a typical force show in the North Korean style, but you can't shake your arms. Polish Navy Over the years, the DPRK has been associated primarily with older ships, coastal fleet, submarines and a large number of small vessels. Choe Hyon destroyers, which include Kang KonThey're trying to get to a higher level.

What is known about the weaponization of the Kang Kon destroyer?

Kang Kon It's supposed to be a ship about 5,000 tons. This is no longer a small coastal ship, but a large rocket destroyer that North Korea portrays as one of the pillars of the modernized Navy.

The weaponry of the ship must be described carefully, as most of the data comes from North Korean propaganda materials. Based on available photos and analyses, Kang Kon can be assumed to have a 130 mm ship cannon, an artillery-racite set similar to the Russian Pancyr-ME, two 30 mm six-bar cannon and an additional artillery tower derived from AK-230 solutions.

There are also two double torpedo launchers of 533 mm to combat submarines. Among the weapons are also Hwasal-2 maneuvering missiles, light universal missiles (à la Spike) and apparent targets.

However, the most important element remains the vertical launchers. They should not be confused with Western universal Mk 41 launchers. In the North Korean case, it is probably a separate launcher for various types of weapons, including maneuvering missiles and possibly anti-aircraft missiles.

The announcement of the next large ships

Kim Jong Un was to recommend that the trials of his new destroyer be completed and that he be brought into service in the next two months. At the same time, he announced the construction of more ships of this class. According to the North Korean plans for the coming years, there are to be two destroyers with a displacement of about 5,000 tons.

The announcements of a larger ship with a buoyancy of 10,000 tons go further. They must be treated with a great deal of reserve, as North Korean propaganda often precedes the real potential of the native industry. However, the direction itself is clear. Pyongyang wants to go beyond the current coastal fleet model and build ships capable of operating further from their own bases.

Signal for South Korea, Japan and the USA

For South Korea, Japan and the United States, attempts at a sea destroyer Kang Kon are a signal that North Korea attempts to develop shock capabilities also at sea. A craft with maneuvering missiles, torpedoes and vertical launchers can serve not only to defend its own waters, but also to exert pressure near the enemy's bases and on important regional waters.

This does not mean that the DPRK has built a modern navy overnight. Photos and communications come from state propaganda, and the real quality of radars, fire management systems, propulsion systems, communications and weapon integration remains unknown. Nevertheless, the North Korean destroyer shows that Pyongyang wants to shift the weight from the coastal fleet to larger rocket ships.

This does not change the arrangement of forces at sea overnight, but shows ambitions that cannot be underestimated. North Korea remains a country regularly threatening neighbours, developing a missile program and using troops as a tool of political pressure. Sam Kang Kon It is therefore not just another prop of North Korean propaganda. It's a signal that Pyongyang is taking the expansion of the water fleet more seriously.