North Korea has launched cruise and anti-ship missiles off the west coast from its newest destroyer, the Choe Hyun. The leader of the republic, Kim Jong-un, watched the tests together with senior military officials. According to Navy Recognition, initial assessments show that the exercises focused on synchronizing onboard sensors, fire control systems, and the sequence of weapons use in operational conditions.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 14, the exercises included the launch of two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles. KCNA emphasizes that the shooting confirmed the accuracy of the upgraded navigation systems designed to counteract electronic interference. According to official data, cruise missiles were in the air from 7869 to 7920 seconds, and anti-ship missiles flew from about 1960 to 1973 seconds before hitting a target.
Destroyer Choi Hyun, North Korea
KCNA
The Choi Hyun destroyer was commissioned in 2025. With an estimated displacement of approximately 5,000 to 5,500 tons, the Choe Hyun represents a significant step forward compared to the outdated Soviet frigates and corvettes that have been the backbone of the North Korean navy for decades. An analysis of the design based on satellite images indicates that the destroyer has a two–deck superstructure, an effective scattering area that ensures stealth, and at least two multi-cell vertical launch units - one in the bow and the second in the stern, which potentially allows for the placement of 64 to 76 missiles.
Officially, information about the composition of the weapons was not disclosed. The presence of vertical launch systems suggests compatibility with North Korean cruise missiles KN-27 or Hwasal-2, with a range exceeding 1,500 km. Such an arsenal will allow Choi Hyun to hit targets in Japan, South Korea, and even American bases on Guam that are under threat from international waters, without the need to fly through missile defense corridors.
Navy Recognition notes that the destroyer is equipped with a radar with phased array antennas, which allows simultaneous tracking of multiple air and surface targets, as well as supports fire control systems during missile attacks. This system is complemented by Type-362 air and surface search radars, as well as three specialized fire control radars. The installed hull-mounted sonar provides basic submarine detection capabilities, although its effective range remains dependent on acoustic conditions and operator qualifications. Friend–and-foe identification systems and electronic warfare systems additionally contribute to improving situational awareness.
For South Korea and Japan, the deployment of a large surface ship with a strategic strike capability requires a rethink of the maritime security doctrine. Equipped with the Aegis system, Japanese destroyers and South Korean KDX-III are technically capable of tracking and intercepting cruise missiles, but real-time targeting and the ability to confirm the threat before launch remain serious obstacles.
For the United States, the commissioning of a new generation North Korean destroyer has also introduced a new variable in naval planning in the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, headquartered in Yokosuka, Japan, relies heavily on freedom of navigation, patrols, and the operational superiority of carrier strike groups and amphibious ship formations. A North Korean destroyer armed with cruise missiles to attack ground targets can pose a threat to vulnerable targets in the theater of operations, including logistics centers, advanced airfields and naval facilities, thereby serving as a deterrent without the need for a direct clash with American forces.
