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 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 15,000 bhp, 25 knots
Crew: approx. 180
Radar: Slim Net air search
Sonar: Tamir-11
Armament: 2 SS-N-2 Styx SSM, 2 100mm, 2 dual 57 mm AA, 6 dual 25 mm
AA, 2 ASW mortars, 2 DC racks, 30 mines
Small North Korean design frigates, very little combat value.
One on each coast, as fleet flagships.
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.