North Korea’s missile test from its new Choe Hyon destroyer signals a shift toward a more flexible sea-based nuclear deterrent, as the Pyongyang seeks support for the largest submarine fleet in the world.
This month, multiple media outlets reported that North Korea test-fired two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles from its new 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon as part of operational efficiency trials, with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the launches from a pier alongside senior military officials.
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The missiles were launched over waters off the country’s west coast, flying along preset trajectories for extended duration’s—cruise missiles for more than two hours and anti-ship missiles for about half an hour — before striking targets described as ultra-precision accuracy.
The tests were conducted to assess the destroyer’s integrated weapons command system, enhance crew skills, and validate the upgraded navigation and anti-jamming features.
Korea’s state mouthpiece, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), described the weapons as strategic, as Kim reiterated that strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrent remains a top priority.
The launches mark the first publicly disclosed anti-ship missile firing from the vessel and come amid broader efforts to expand North Korea’s naval power, including plans for at least two additional destroyers and indications of a growing fleet rather than isolated platforms.
According to an April 2025 Beyond Parallel analysis by Joseph Bermudez Jr and others, the Choe Hyon is North Korea’s largest and most sophisticated warship. They assess it as about 144 meters long and built as a multi-mission destroyer.
They say that it features a substantial missile architecture, including 44 vertical launch cells (VLS) for surface-to-air missiles and 30 larger cells for cruise or surface-to-surface missiles.
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They note that it is armed with close-in weapon systems (CIWS), electronic warfare suites, a 127-millimeter gun, and a helicopter/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) deck.
They also state that it incorporates the Russian Pantsir-M air defense system and is assessed to support anti-air, anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-ballistic missile roles, as well as potential hyper-sonic cruise and tactical ballistic missile strike capabilities.
Russian assistance appears evident in the ship’s design. In a June 2025 Wall Street Journal (WSJ) video, naval analyst Mike Plunkett says building such a ship in roughly 13 months would be impossible without outside assistance, citing strong design similarities with Russia’s Grigorovich-class frigates.
WSJ also notes that Russia may have supplied the Pantsir-M air defense system, while Plunkett suggests Kim’s 2023 Russia visit functioned as a sales pitch for naval technology transfers.
Choe Hyon is likely to serve as North Korea’s primary maritime platform for nuclear signaling, crisis response and sea-based strike operations.
In practice, Kim likely retains sole control over intercontinental deterrence, while Choe Hyon’s cruise missiles serve as theater nuclear assets aimed at regional targets under tightly controlled but potentially preplanned release conditions.
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The DTRA report notes that submarine-based nuclear operations would require pre-assembled weapons and procedural controls, though vulnerability may necessitate early deployment or delegated launch conditions in a crisis.
Strategically, Choe Hyon may enhance survivability by dispersing nuclear assets at sea, but it also introduces escalation risks, particularly as its cruise missiles could carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.
The destroyer also signals closer ties with Russia, potentially reducing dependence on China while reshaping regional alignment dynamics.
Asia Times / ABC Flash Point News 2026.
North Korea about to finish off the western hegemony?
It proves that having nukes stops you being invaded by the USA/UK/EU.
Its been a while since Donald called Kim “Rocket Man” although it probably wont bother him as he has only a short term memory and long term strategy is beyond him therefore he changes his mind by the nano-second .
Its good to see that at last Russia is actually helping its friends which I would have done long ago and slowed down Donald’s world takeover.
NWO reinforcement or catch up failed ?
The problem with the NWO is that it dispenses with all International agreements and only Chaos rules – the stronger wins but look what its doing to many countries –destroying their economies – more sane western countries wont take part only servile countries like the UK obey Donald and his madness .
No normal country wants continual war .