North Korea Commissions Kang Kon Destroyer
North Korea has commissioned its second Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyer, Kang Kon, in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un, as the country
The North Korean Navy has commissioned its second 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyer, Kang Kon, on September 6, 2026, in the eastern port city of Wonsan. The commissioning ceremony was attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who stated that the country is implementing an important plan to strengthen naval forces. Kim Jong Un was accompanied by his daughter and senior government and military officials.
Background and Specifications
The Choe Hyon-class destroyers are the largest and most advanced warships ever operated by the North Korean navy, displacing approximately 5,000 tons and measuring 145 meters in length. Kang Kon was commissioned approximately two months after the lead ship of the class, Choe Hyon, which was officially commissioned on June 23, 2026. Two additional vessels of the class are currently under construction. Remarkably, Kang Kon had previously capsized during its launch at the Chongjin Shipyard on May 21, 2025, yet entered service a little more than a year later.
Armament and Electronics
The Choe Hyon-class destroyers feature a comprehensive electronic warfare suite and four fixed-face phased-array radar panels. The ship's missile suite is impressive, with five distinct vertical launch system configurations for a variety of anti-ship, anti-aircraft, and land-attack cruise missiles. The vessel is equipped with 88 vertical launch cells, as well as eight inclined missile launchers and eight ready-to-fire short-range missiles associated with a naval close-in weapon system. The aft section houses 64 VLS cells of four different types, while an additional 24 cells are located forward of the superstructure.
Missile and Gun Armament
The missile armament is complemented by a 127mm naval gun mounted at the bow, two six-barrel 30mm CIWS amidships resembling the Chinese Type 730, and a Pantsir-M-type air-defense system positioned aft of the funnel, combining short-range missiles with twin six-barrel 30 mm rotary cannons. Additional weapons include two twin 533mm torpedo launchers and six decoy-launching systems of two different types (4 x 40-tube launchers and 2 x 12-tube launchers) for anti-aircraft and anti-torpedo defense. Close-range defensive armament is further strengthened by ten twin remotely controlled 14.5mm weapon systems as well as two gatling machine guns and six 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine guns concealed within the superstructure.
Comparison of Choe Hyon-Class Destroyers
The commissioning of these new destroyers shows Pyongyang's ambitions to develop a more capable blue-water navy with greater operational reach and power-projection capabilities. North Korea has already indicated plans to develop guided-missile cruisers with roughly twice the displacement of the Choe Hyon-class. Kim Jong Un's address at the commissioning ceremony hinted at further details on the plan to strengthen naval forces, expected to be revealed within the next eight months. The Choe Hyon-class represents a major leap forward in the modernization of North Korea's surface fleet, bringing it closer to contemporary naval standards. The vessel appears capable of carrying up to 104 missiles of various types.
The Choe Hyon-class destroyers are by far the largest, most heavily armed, and most advanced warships ever operated by the North Korean navy. The class is equipped with modern electronic systems and brings the North Korean surface fleet closer to contemporary naval standards.
