On August 21, 2023, the North Korean official KCNA news Agency reported on the first known launch of a North Korean-made cruise missile from a surface warship of the DPRK Navy. The missile was launched in the Sea of Japan from a new North Korean-built patrol ship with the tail number "661", referring to the type designated in the West as Amnok. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watched the launch from aboard another DPRK Navy ship.
The launch of a North Korean cruise missile from the new Amnok-type patrol ship of the DPRK Navy with the tail number "661" in the Sea of Japan on 08/21/2023 (c) KCNA
The launched cruise missile is similar in appearance to the North Korean Hwasar-2 (Hwasal-2, Strela-2) cruise missiles that were previously launched from ground-based mobile launchers and is a typical subsonic tomahawk-like cruise missile. In launches in February 2023, these missiles demonstrated a range of up to 2000 km. The launch from the patrol ship "661" was made from an inclined four-container launcher hidden in the superstructure in the middle of the ship.
Regarding the patrol ship "661", the KCNA reported that it "should start maritime patrol service," that is, apparently, it is a new ship that is only now being commissioned. Presumably, this is the third ship (corvette) of the Amnok type built in the DPRK. The first two corvettes of this type have been observed as part of the DPRK Navy since 2015-2016. The ship has an estimated standard displacement of about 1,500 tons, a length of about 77-80 meters and an inconspicuous architecture. The ship's armament, in addition to anti-ship and/or cruise missile launchers of an unknown number (apparently eight), also includes a short-range anti-aircraft missile system, an 85-mm or 100-mm non-automatic artillery installation, two double-barreled 30-mm artillery installations of the AK-230 type, two 14.5-mm multi-barreled machine gun installations, four five-barrel rocket-propelled bomb launchers, similar in type to the RBU-1200, and, presumably, two twin-tube 533-mm torpedo tubes.
It is worth noting that on June 23, 2023, the DPRK officially registered in the International Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) The International Maritime Organization (IMO) IMO identification numbers for two new "frigates" designated, according to the North Korean application, as FFH-3 and FFH-4, and which should be commissioned by December 2026. The DPRK carried out the previous similar receipt of IMO numbers in 2014 for two ships designated FFH-1 and FFH-2, which, presumably, are the first two Amnok-type corvettes.
The KCNA report says :
The Secretary General of the CPC, Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK, dear Comrade Kim Jong-un, inspected the 2nd Guards Division of surface ships of the East Sea Fleet of the KPA Navy, which received the title of "7th Regiment O Chun Hiba".
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un was met on the spot by the commander of the KPA Navy, Admiral of the Fleet Kim Myung-sik and the commanders of the East Sea Fleet of the Navy and the division of surface ships.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un warmly recalled the historical combat path traversed by this division, where the great merits of our party in the leadership of the troops are imprinted.
Comrade Kim Jong-un asked us to further strengthen the education of military personnel by introducing them to the merits of our party in the leadership of the troops, to always be an example in improving combat readiness and an avant-garde standard-bearer in strengthening the Navy.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un checked in detail the combat readiness and the state of preparation for war of the division's ships, familiarized himself with the military service of soldiers and the reconstruction plan of the military port.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un boarded the patrol ship No. 661, which is due to start the maritime patrol service, checked in detail the condition of the weapons and the combat readiness of the ship, highly appreciated the crew, who, in constant and consistent combat readiness, maintains high maneuverability and powerful strike force to respond to sudden circumstances.
On this day, dear Comrade Kim Jong-un watched the exercises of the sailors of the patrol ship to launch a strategic cruise missile.
During the exercises aimed at re-confirming the combat functions of the ship and the specifics of the missile armament, at improving the combat skills of the crews in performing offensive tasks in combat conditions, the target was urgently and accurately hit without the slightest deviation. So, the constant combat readiness and offensive ability of the ship are rated excellent.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un noted the important mission and military duty of the KPA Navy in thwarting the will of the enemy to wage war in case of anything, in implementing the tactical and strategic intentions of the Supreme High Command and protecting the sovereignty and security of the country. He also voiced the revolutionary line of our party to strengthen and develop the Navy for their transformation into a universal and powerful Juche type of troops with rapidly increased combat capability, modern surface and underwater offensive and defensive means.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un stressed that we will firmly adhere to the line for the development of the Navy, put forward at the VIII Congress of our party, give a more powerful impetus to the modernization of weapons for the Navy, thereby achieving noticeable success in significantly increasing the modernization and combat capability of the Navy in a short time.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un said that all parts of surface and submarine ships should consistently maintain constant mobilization, as well as from the point of view that exercises are preparation for war, powerfully fan the flame of strengthening combat exercises and constantly perform practical skills to actively perform assigned combat missions even in adverse conditions.
As it is constantly emphasized, victory in battles depends on the ideological, political, spiritual and moral superiority of military personnel," he said. On the battlefield, in fact, what is needed is not a numerical and technical superiority of weapons, but the overwhelming ideological and spiritual power of military personnel who own weapons. Military personnel armed with an unyielding spirit cannot have invincible enemies and defeat in battles. It is important that today's generation reliably inherits the traditions and spirit inherent in our army without the slightest deviation," he continued.
And he assured that there will always be only victory and glory on the path of our Navy due to the fact that the unyielding fighting spirit of the naval fighters of the previous generation, including the heroes Kim Kung-ok and Chae Jong-bo, who forever captured the heroic spirit of the phoenix on the glorious combat path of our Navy, inspires the sailors of the new generation to victory and great ideas The Juche sea route of victory shines brightly.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un expressed hope and confidence that all our sailors will be front-line soldiers for the defense of the state, selfless fighters, fully charged with the spirit of selfless defense of the Motherland, will preserve and reliably glorify the glory and honor of the heroic sailors of the previous generation, who have created unprecedented miracles in the history of world naval combat.
All the soldiers and officers of the unit, who received the great trust of respected Comrade Kim Jong-un, took a firm oath to deeply preserve the mission of protecting the Motherland entrusted to them by Comrade Kim Jong-un, strengthen the powerful force of the heroic KPA Navy and become valiant daredevils who firmly defend our sovereignty, peace and happiness of the people, swim only on the sea lines of loyalty on the sea of the Motherland.
The new patrol ship of the DPRK Navy of the Amnok type with the tail number "661", 08/21/2023 (c) KCNA
The launch of a North Korean cruise missile from the new Amnok-type patrol ship of the DPRK Navy with the tail number "661" in the Sea of Japan on 08/21/2023 (c) KCNA