North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observed the first armed test firing conducted just three days after the launch of the new “multipurpose destroyer” Choe Hyon-ho and directed to accelerate the “nuclear armament of the navy.”
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 30th that “testing began on the combat applicability of the armament systems of the multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon-ho,” and “on April 28 and 29, the first weapons system test on the destroyer was conducted.”
On April 28th, three days after the launch of the Choe Hyon-ho, tests were conducted on supersonic cruise missiles, strategic cruise missiles, air defense (anti-aircraft) missiles, and a 127mm deck-mounted automatic cannon.
On the 29th, tests continued with ship-to-ship tactical guided missiles, various on-board automatic cannons, smoke and electronic interference shells.
Kim, during his visit to the destroyer, watched the test firing and highly appraised the quick start of weapon system performance tests, instructing to “complete the integration and operation of the armed systems rapidly.”
Kim pointed out that “it is a major task for the shipbuilding industry to continuously enhance the equipment level of the attack and defense complex systems incorporating new generation advanced technology to realize the multipurpose and multipurpose use of ships at a higher level.”
He particularly emphasized that “it is time to make a responsible choice to accelerate the nuclear armament of the navy to protect national defense and maritime sovereignty from existing and prospective threats,” instructing various tasks, although specific details were not disclosed.
Kim watched the first test firing with officials from the Missile General Bureau, the Academy of National Defense Science, and the Nampo Shipyard. His daughter, Ju-ae, Chang Chang-ha, the Director of the Missile General Bureau, Kim Jeong-sik, a member of the Central Military Commission, and Jo Chun-ryong, Secretary of the Central Committee, accompanied him.
On the 29th, Kim encouraged workers at the Nampo Shipyard and scientists and technicians in the shipbuilding sector and took commemorative photos with the Choe Hyon-ho in the background.
Earlier, North Korea launched the new 5,000-ton-class destroyer Choe Hyon-ho on April 25th.
Released photos indicate that the Choe Hyon-ho is evaluated as a “North Korean Aegis destroyer” equipped with an active phased array radar and various missile launch platforms, including cruise and ballistic missiles.
[Photo Source: Yonhap News / Korean Central News Agency]