World Navies Today - North Korea

World Navies Today: North Korea Revised 3 November 2001 Version 1.05 Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan Compiled with assistance from: Phil Lee World Navies Today Main Page: http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/

The North Korean Navy is the most secretive navy in the world. Determining the state of their fleet is exceptionally difficult. This list is built using the best publicly available information, although this information is sketchy, at best. Names, numbers, and bases are not known, and quantities in service are uncertain. This list includes all vessels for which any degree of detailed information is known. In addition to these vessels, there are many inshore patrol boats and various auxiliaries of unknown types. Condition and servicability of all units is uncertain, and all are of very primitive technology. All designations & classifications are unofficial; they may or may not correspond to "official" designations.

Submarines Small Surface Combatants/Large Patrol Vessels Missile & Torpedo Boats Coastal Patrol & ASW Boats Amphibious & Fire Support Craft Mine Countermeasures Craft Auxiliaries

Submarines approx. 22 Romeo class coastal/patrol submarines Displacement: approx. 1,700 tons submerged Dimensions: 76.6 x 6.7 x 4.95 meters (251 x 22 x 16 feet) Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 2,700 shp, 13 knots Crew: approx. 50 Sonar: Tamir-5L active, Feniks passive Armament: 8 21 inch torpedo tubes (6 forward, 2 aft) (14 torpedoes or 28 mines) Chinese and North Korean boats built to a 1950's Soviet design.

4 Whiskey class coastal/patrol submarines Displacement: approx. 1,350 tons submerged Dimensions: 76 x 6.3 x 4.8 meters (249 x 20.5 x 15.5 feet) Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 2,500 shp, 17 knots Crew: approx. 50 Sonar: Tamir-5 active, Herkules passive array Armament: 6 21 inch torpedo tubes (4 forward, 2 aft) (12 torpedoes or 24 mines) Four ex-Soviet boats transferred 1974, Probably based on the East coast. Probably unservicable or confined to training operations.

Approx. 22 Sang-O class coastal infiltration submarines Displacement: 277 tons submerged Dimensions: 35.5 x 3.8 x 3.7 meters (116.5 x 12.5 x 12.1 feet) Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 1 shaft, 8.8 knots Crew: 19 + 6 swimmers Armament: 2 or 4 21 inch torpedo tubes in some units Small subs meant for coastal infiltration operations.

40+ Yugo class midget submarines Displacement: 25 tons submerged Dimensions: 20 x 2 x 1.6 meters (65.6 x 6.5 x 5 feet) Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 1 diesel, 1 shaft, 160 shp, 4 knots Crew: 2 + 6-7 swimmers Armament: 2 21 inch torpedo tubes in some units

For infiltration operations.

submersible infiltration craft Displacement: 10 tons submerged Dimensions: 12.8 x ?? x ?? meters Propulsion: 3 outboard engines, 40-50 knots Crew: 4 + 2-5 swimmer Fully submersible infiltration craft.

8+ Osprey class semi-submersible infiltration craft Displacement: 5 tons Dimensions: 8.6 x 2.5 x ?? meters (28 x 8 x ?? feet) Propulsion: unknown, 50 knots Crew: 6 (including swimmers/saboteurs) Operate on the surface until near the insertion point, then ballast down and run in awash.

Small Surface Combatants/Large Patrol Vessels 1 Soho class light frigate Displacement: 1,845 tons full load Dimensions: 75 x 15 x 3.8 meters (246 x 49 x 12.5 feet) Propulsion: Crew: approx. 190 Aviation: helicopter platform Armament: 2 SS-N-2 Styx SSM, 1 100mm/56 DP, 1 dual 37 mm AA, 2 dual 25 mm AA, 2 RBU-1200 ASW rocket launchers, DC racks Experimental catameran frigate; not a success.

2 Najin class light frigates Displacement: 1,500 tons full load Dimensions: 100 x 10 x 2.7 meters (328 x 32 x 9 Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 15,000 bhp, 25 Crew: approx. 180 Radar: Slim Net air search Sonar: Tamir-11 Armament: 2 SS-N-2 Styx SSM, 2 100mm, 2 dual 57 AA, 2 ASW mortars, 2 DC racks, 30 mines Small North Korean design frigates, very One on each coast, as fleet flagships.

feet) knots

mm AA, 6 dual 25 mm little combat value.

Missile & Torpedo Boats 12-15 Soju/Osa-I class missile boats Displacement: approx. 220 tons full load Dimensions: 43 x 7.5 x 1.8 meters (141 x 24.5 x 6 feet) Propulsion: 3 diesels, 3 shafts, 12,000 bhp, 34 knots Crew: approx. 30-40 Armament: 4 SS-N-2 Styx SSM, 2 dual 30 mm AA North Korean built version of the Osa design.

12 Huangfeng/Osa class missile boats Displacement: approx. 200 tons full load Dimensions: 38.75 x 7.6 x 1.7 meters (127 x 25 x 5.5 feet) Propulsion: 3 diesels, 3 shafts, 12,000 bhp, 35 knots Crew: approx. 30 Armament: 4 SS-N-2 Styx SSM, 2 twin 30 mm AA (2 twin 25 mm AA in some) Chinese and Soviet built versions of the Soviet Osa-class design. All on the West coast.

6 Sohung/Komar class small missile boats Displacement: 80 tons full load Dimensions: 26.8 x 6.2 x 1.5 meters (88 x 20 x 5 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 4,800 bhp, 40 knots Crew: approx. 20 Armament: 2 SS-N-2 Styx SSM, 1 dual 25 mm AA Soviet and Korean built versions of the Soviet Komar design.

up to 12 P-6 class small torpedo boats Displacement: 66.5 tons full load Dimensions: 25.3 x 6.1 x 1.7 meters (83 x 20 x 5.5 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 4,800 bhp, 43 knots Crew: approx. 15-20 Armament: 2 dual 25 mm AA, 2 21 inch torpedo tubes, 8 DC Some have additional AA in place of TT.

up to 98 Sin Hung/Ku Song class small torpedo boats Displacement: 25 tons full load Dimensions: 18.3 x 3.4 x 1.7 meters (60 x 11 x 5.5 feet) Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 2,400 bhp, 40 knots Crew: Armament: 2 dual 14.5 mm MG, 2 450 mm (17.7 inch) torpedo tubes

Coastal Patrol & ASW Boats 4 Sariwon/Tral class large patrol boats Displacement: approx. 500 tons full load Dimensions: 62.1 x 7.3 x 2.4 meters (204 x 24 x 8 feet) Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 3,000 bhp, 21 knots Crew: approx. 65-70 Armament: 1 76 mm DP, 2 dual 57 mm AA, 2 dual 25 mm AA, 4 ASW mortars (85 mm or 100 mm tank turret in place of 76 mm in Trals) Three corvette-type vessels based on Soviet Tral-class minesweeper design, and one ex-Soviet Tral still in service. All on the East coast.

13 Taechong I/II class large patrol boats Displacement: 410 tons full load Dimensions: 59.8 x 7.2 x 2 meters (196 x 23.5 x 6.5 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 8,800 bhp, 30 knots Crew: approx. 75-80 Sonar: Tamir-11 Armament: 1 100mm/56 DP, 1 dual 57 mm AA, 1 dual 25 mm AA, 2 dual 14.5 mm MG, 2 RBU-1200 ASW rocket launchers, 2 DC racks, mines Modified version of the Hainan design.

6 Hainan class large patrol boats Displacement: 400 tons full load Dimensions: 58.77 x 7.2 x 2.2 meters (193 x 23.5 x 7 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 8,800 bhp, 30 knots Crew: approx. 70 Sonar: Tamir-11 HF hull Armament: 2 dual 57 mm AA, 2 dual 25 mm AA, 4 RBU-1200 ASW rocket launchers, 2 DC mortars, 2 DC racks, mines

18 SO-1 class patrol boats Displacement: 215 tons full load Dimensions: 42 x 6.1 x 1.9 meters (137.5 x 20 x 6 feet) Propulsion: 3 diesels, 3 shafts, 7,500 bhp, 28 knots Crew: approx. 30-40 Armament: 2 dual 25 mm AA, 4 RBU-1200 ASW rocket launchers, DC, mines Or: 1 85 mm DP, 1 dual 37 mm AA, 2 dual 14.5 mm MG

14 Shanghai-II class small patrol boats Displacement: 134.8 tons full load Dimensions: 38.78 x 5.41 x 1.49 meters (127 x 18 x 5 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 4,220 bhp, 28.5 knots Crew: approx. 35 Armament: 2 dual 37 mm AA, 2 dual 25 mm AA, mines

18 Sinpo class small patrol boats Displacement: 66.5 tons full load Dimensions: 25.3 x 6.1 x 1.7 meters (83 x 20 x 5.5 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 4,800 bhp, 43 knots Crew: approx. 15-20 Armament: 2 dual 37 mm AA Steel-hulled version of P-6 torpedo boat.

Amphibious & Fire Support Craft 10 Hantae class utility landing craft Displacement: 350 tons Dimensions: 48 x 6.5 x 2.0 meters Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 4,350 bhp, 12 knots Crew: 40 Cargo: 3 tanks Armament: 4 dual 25 mm

7 Hanchon class medium landing craft Displacement: 145 tons full load Dimensions: 35.7 x 7.9 x 1.2 meters Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 600 bhp, 10 knots Crew: 16 Cargo: approx. 2 tanks or 200 troops Armament: 2 dual 14.5 mm MG

18 Hungman class medium landing craft Displacement: 70 tons full load Dimensions: 17 x 4.4 x 1.2 meters Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 400 bhp, 8 knots Crew: 4-8 Cargo: approx. 35 tons or 100 troops Armament: 2 dual 14.5 mm MG

up to 95 Nampo class assault boats Displacement: 82 tons full load Dimensions: 27.7 x 6.1 x 1.8 meters (91 x 20 x 6 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 4,800 bhp, 40 knots Crew: approx. 20 Troops: approx. 30 Armament: 2 dual 14.5 mm MG

52 Chaho class assault support boats Displacement: 82 tons full load

Dimensions: 27.7 x 6.1 x 1.8 meters (91 x 20 x 6 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 4,800 bhp, 40 knots Crew: approx. 25 Armament: 4 dual 14.5 mm MG, 40 tube 122 mm rocket launcher Based on the P6 torpedo boat design.

51 Chong Jin class assault support boats Displacement: 82 tons full load Dimensions: 27.7 x 6.1 x 1.8 meters (91 x 20 x 6 feet) Propulsion: 4 diesels, 4 shafts, 4,800 bhp, 40 knots Crew: approx. 25 Armament: 1 85 mm or 100 mm tank turret, 4 dual 14.5 mm MG Variant of the Chaho design.

135 Kongbang class assault hovercraft Various versions, carrying 35-55 troops.

Mine Countermeasures Craft 23 Yukto class minesweeping boats Displacement: 60 tons full load Dimensions: 24 x 4 x ?? meters (79 x ?? x ?? feet) Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, ?? bhp, 12 knots Crew: approx. 16-20 Armament: 1 dual 14.5 mm MG, 4 mines

Auxiliaries 1 Kowan class submarine rescue ship Displacement: approx. 2,100 tons full load Dimensions: 84 x 14.3 x 3.9 meters Propulsion: 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 8,000 bhp, 12 knots Crew: 160 Armament: 6 dual 14.5 mm Catameran-hulled rescue/salvage ship.

Compiled and maintained by Andrew Toppan. Copyright © 1997-2003, Andrew Toppan. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, reuse, or distribution without permission is prohibited.