North Korean Navy

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Korean People's Army Navy

The navy, a separate branch of the KPA, is headquartered at P'yongyang. In 1992 the 40,000 to 60,000-person brown-water navy was primarily a coastal defense force. The navy is capable of conducting inshore defensive operations, submarine operations against merchant shipping and unsophisticated naval combatants, offensive and defensive mining operations, and conventional raids. Because of the general imbalance of ship types, the navy has a limited capability to carry out missions such as sea control or denial and antisubmarine operations.

Most North Korean combat vessels, such as light destroyers, patrol ships, guided missile boats, torpedo boats, and fire support boats are small. Some 40 guided missile boats pose a substantial threat; they have the capability of launching missile attacks against large vessels and are equipped with two to four 46-km-range Styx anti-ship missiles. At present, over 60% of North Korean combat vessels are deployed in forward bases.

The primary offensive mission of the navy is supporting army actions against South Korea, particularly by inserting smallscale amphibious operations--SOF units--along the coast. The navy also has a limited capability to conduct rocket and shore bombardment raids against selected coastal targets. However, any North Korean force attempting to engage in these operations would be at risk from both air and surface combatants because of limited air defense and detection capabilities.

North Korea builds small- and medium-size submarines mainly in the Nampo and Wonsan Shipyard, but also in other small- and medium-size shipyards along the two coastal lines where naval and military bases are scattered.

In the early 1990s the navy seldom operated outside the North Korean military exclusion zone, a zone extending some fifty kilometers off North Korea's coast from which it sought to exclude operations by any other navy. Although seaborne infiltration attempts into South Korea are believed to have largely stopped by the 1990s, testimony of North Korean spies apprehended by South Korea in early 1992 indicated successful infiltration continues. Clashes with the South Korean navy and harassment of South Korean fishing boats once occurred with regularity, but such incidents were rare in as of mid-1993.

The Naval Command has two separate fleets: the East Sea Fleet and Yellow Sea Fleet, with sixteen combatant groups. The fleets do not exchange vessels, and their areas of operations and missions determine their organizational structure; mutual support is difficult at best.

   * The Yellow Sea Fleet, made up of six squadrons [versus five in the early 1990s] and approximately 300 vessels, is headquartered at Namp'o, with major bases at Pip'a-got and Sagot and smaller bases at Ch'o-do and Tasa-ri.
   * The East Sea Fleet, with ten squadrons [versus nine in the early 1990s] and approximately 470 vessels [versus 400 in the early 1990s], is headquartered at T'oejo-dong, with major bases at Najin and Wonsan and lesser bases at Ch'aho, Ch'angjn, Mayangdo, and Puam-ni near the DMZ. 

There are many smaller bases along both coasts. The submarine force is decentralized. Submarines are stationed at Ch'aho, Mayang-do, Namp'o, and Pip'a-got naval bases.

Approximately 60 percent of the North Korean naval force is deployed close to the front line area. They include 430 combat vessels, such as patrol boats, missile boats, torpedo boats and fire support vessels, 35 submarines including 9 small ones, and 335 supporting vessels such as landing ships and air cushion vessels. Support vessels are composed of amphibious vessels including personnel landing craft, landing craft air cushion (LCAC), surface patrol boats and mine countermeasure vessels. These support vessels, however, have a limited role in long-distance operations.

Submarines, most of which are of the 20-some Romeo-class, are outdated and slow, but they are sufficiently capable of blocking sea lanes. These vessels could attack ROK surface vessels, emplace mines anywhere within the ROK maritime territory, or secretly infiltrate commandos into the South.

The forward deployment of small high-speed boats such as torpedo and missile boats provides North Korea with an enhanced capability to launch a surprise attack on US combat vessels in the waters along the front line. In particular, the missile boats are equipped with Styx anti-ship missiles with a range of 45 km. The submarines could be used in conducting such missions as blocking sea lanes, placing mines or landing commandos. North Korea deploys 95 km-range Samlet and Silkworm ground-to-sea missiles on its eastern and western coasts. The Silkworm missiles are estimated to be capable of striking vessels near Inchon on the western coast and near Sokcho on the east.

Continuing to build attack warships, North Korea has tried to enhance its naval capabilities through developing new ground-to-sea missile systems, such as extending the striking range of the Silkworm missiles. North Korea also deploys 80-95 km-range ground-to-ship Samlet and Silkworm missiles on both east and west coasts. Silkworm missiles, deployed in the forward area, are able to launch anti-ship attacks as far as Tokjok-do in the Yellow Sea and Sokcho and Yangyang on the east coast. Coastal defense artillery includes 122-mm, 130-mm, and 152-mm systems.

To date, the DPRK has indigenously produced over 200 personnel landing craft. This includes approximately 100 NAMPO personnel landing craft based on a former Soviet P-6 torpedo boat hull. The NAMPO has a maximum speed of 40 knots and a radius of 335 nm at 28 knots. The NAMPOs provide a limited amphibious capability, each carrying up to 30 troops with a basic combat load. Amphibious assaults against CFC probably would be small, clandestine landings involving two to six NAMPO craft; CHAHO or other naval craft could provide fire support. Other amphibious craft include 8 HANTAE medium landing ships, which can carry 3 to 4 light tanks, and approximately 125 KONG BANG amphibious hovercraft.

The DPRK has a credible mine warfare capability. There are numerous small surface ships that are capable of delivering mines within both the navy and civilian sectors. Mines will be used to defend against amphibious assaults, defend strategic ports, and provide seaward flank protection for land forces. Defensive mine fields will be monitored by coastal observation teams and radar, and they will be supported by well emplaced artillery and missile batteries. This will make close approach and mine clearing operations extremely hazardous. DPRK has a large inventory of older technology mines, significant historical experience with their effectiveness, and, most importantly, the willingness to use them.

Also operated by the navy are two amphibious surface sniper brigades. The North Korean navy has built over 140 hovercraft capable of carrying platoon-size units ashore in surprise landing operations. These landing craft can maneuver not only at sea, but also on tidal and mud flats and are capable of landing alongside the piers in most parts of the eastern and western coasts. They would be especially useful in areas where there is a wide difference between high and low tides along the western coast. These vessels also have a high survivability due to their good speed at 50 nautical miles per hour, and their forward deployment in both the East and Yellow Seas would greatly enhance North Korea's surprise landing capability in the early stages of a war.

In addition to naval units, there also are noncombatants in the North Korean merchant marine, including ten cargo ships operating directly under the KWP and the Ministry of People's Armed Forces. There are sixty-six other oceangoing vessels in the merchant marine operating under the flag of the Ministry of Sea Transportation.

On November 20, 1998, a North Korean vessel was detected and captured off the waters of the Kangwha Island in an attempt to infiltrate spies, who subsequently escaped to the North. On December 17, 1998, one semi-submersible under control of the Nampo Liaison Office was sunk by the ROK Navy while trying to infiltrate the coast near Yosu. The infiltration was detected by night surveillance equipment of our guard units prior to the infiltration, and a navy�¡�©air force joint operation sank the semi-submersible about 56 miles south of Yokji-do while it was making its way back to the North in the early morning of December 18.

Between June 7 and June 15, 1999, twenty North Korean fishing boats and seven to eight patrol boats crossed the NLL in the name of "fishing and protecting one's fishing rights." They were met by the ROK Navy which tried to block their intrusion. The two sides confronted each other for eight days. At around 9:28 p.m. on June 15, North Korean patrol boats fired first at ROK Navy vessels. The two sides exchanged gunfire. As a result of this battle, a number of North Korean vessels and persons aboard the vessels were seriously damaged or hurt; this included the sinking of one motor torpedo boat. They retreated back to North Korea.

Navy Order of Battle, 1992 Number Strength 40,000-60,000 Organization Fleets 2 Squadrons East Sea 9 Yellow Sea 5 Equipment Frigate 1 Corvettes 2 Submarines Whiskey class 4 Romeo class 19 Missile attack boats (PTG) 39 Coastal patrol boats PT 200 PC/PCS/PB 120 PCFS 60 Unspecified 20 Amphibious craft Nampo 100 AVC 40+ LCM/LCU 32+ Unspecified 23 Mine warfare craft 23

Source = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/navy.htm

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.

Source = http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/asiapac/n_korea.htm#2