North Korea has showcased a formidable new naval weapon this week, with state media announcing the deployment of a potent arsenal aboard its latest ‘Cheo Hyun’ class warship.
Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, flanked by high-ranking party officials, observed as the so-called ‘North Korean Aegis Destroyer’ executed a “combat application test” of its vertical launch missile systems, marking a significant milestone for the vessel.
The military drill saw the firing of both cruise and anti-air missiles, demonstrating the ship’s multifaceted firepower. Experts at The Warzone have assessed that the 5000-tonne vessel boasts an impressive array of rocket batteries relative to its size, capable of discharging “very large” missiles.
Further insights into the Aegis Destroyer’s armament were gained during the test, unveiling its prowess in anti-ship warfare, equipped with what is believed to be a Russian-origin 127mm cannon, supplemented by automatic weaponry and electronic warfare countermeasures.
State-run media captured Kim Jong Un at the ceremonial debut of the colossal destroyer on April 26, accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae, who observers are touting as his potential heir to the North Korean leadership.
In a bid to bolster the nation’s military clout, Kim has urged for a hastened integration of ballistic nuclear missiles onto the ship following the successful trials.
His ambitions extend to ramping up production of the Cheo Hyun class destroyers, underscoring his strategy to fortify North Korea’s offensive and defensive capabilities. Kim emphasised the need for a robust attack capacity, stating: “It is important to establish a proactive and offensive defensive system on the premise of powerful attack capability.”
The state-run Korean Central News Agency has disclosed a major ramp-up in Kim Jong-un’s nuclear programme, quoting the late leader’s intention as: “Saying that the time has come to make a responsible option for accelerating the nuclear armament of the navy in order to defend the state and maritime sovereignty from the existing and future threat, he set forth different tasks for realising it.”
North Korea plans to deploy the potentially nuclear-armed warship by 2026, Kim announced during its unveiling event. The dictator is beefing up his naval forces amidst soaring tensions with South Korea, vowing to introduce an array of new military equipment to the economically struggling nation.
In March, the regime declared it had commenced work on a nuclear-powered submarine, in conjunction with claims of building a fleet of cruisers and escort vessels. Kim previously cautioned that North Korea aims to possess the capability to project its military might “fully” into “any necessary waters without limitation.”