North Korea Just Launched Its Impressive Frigate With a Vertical Missile System Into the Water. It Sunk

Satellite images provide breathtaking aerial views of our planet from space, offering a unique perspective. These snapshots help experts analyze how time affects the environment and can also reveal hidden details. A recent example of this was the discovery of an impressive, yet half-finished, frigate in North Korea.

However, it didn’t remain afloat for long.

A naval disaster. North Korea recently held the launching ceremony of the country’s second most advanced frigate at the port of Chongjin. Leader Kim Jong Un was present. The event ended in catastrophe when the ship capsized after a technical failure during its launch. Subsequent satellite images revealed the vessel tilted alongside the dock, partially submerged and covered with blue tarpaulins in an effort to conceal the incident.

Kim described the mishap as a “criminal act” resulting from “absolute carelessness.” The state media acknowledged the situation unusually quickly, likely to preempt the inevitable release of satellite images.

An official investigation attributed the incident to a failure of the bogies, carriages that support the hull during launch. This caused an asymmetrical detachment and subsequent structural imbalance. The North Korean leader has demanded urgent repairs ahead of the plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee in June. However, experts doubt this will be possible given the extent of the damage.

A sunken symbol. The stricken frigate is part of the same class as the Choi Hyon, which was launched in April from the western port of Nampo. With an estimated weight of 5,000 tons, it’s the largest North Korean warship to date. This class of frigate is designed not only for coastal defense but also for strategic projection operations.

Notably, the Choi Hyon class features 74 vertical missile launch cells. These can accommodate several types of payloads, including ballistic missiles, supersonic cruise missiles, and advanced anti-aircraft defenses.

According to The New York Times, the rapid construction of these frigates is unprecedented in North Korea. Additionally, it suggests a politically motivated campaign more focused on propaganda than on actual naval operability. During the weapons trials of the Choi Hyon, there were suspicions that the vessel lacked a complete propulsion system. This reinforces the idea that important phases of development were skipped to meet the regime’s deadlines.

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Side launching. The frigate was side-launched, which is rare in North Korea. This method requires precise weight distribution along the hull as well as specialized infrastructure. The Center for Strategic and International Studies suggests that the failure may have stemmed from poor conditions or inadequate installation of the side slideway’s rails. This issue was further complicated by the fact that the Hambuk shipyard, chosen for building this second frigate, has limited experience with large-tonnage vessels.

Traditionally, this shipyard has specialized in constructing smaller vessels, including freighters and patrol boats. This raises doubts about its suitability for such an extensive program. Additionally, the simultaneous use of cranes and barges, detected days before the launch, may have contributed to structural failures during the process.

Political impact and consequences. A failure of this magnitude always has repercussions, but in a place like North Korea, the consequences may be even more significant. Beyond the technical error, the incident marks a substantial setback for Kim’s naval ambitions as he seeks to transform the Korean People’s Navy into a force capable of strategic offensive operations. This failure exposes the vulnerabilities of a program that combines excessive ambition with inadequate industrial capabilities.

Kim has promised severe punishment for those responsible, which could result in personal consequences for engineers and shipyard officials. While it remains to be seen whether the ship is a total loss, its recovery seems unlikely in the short term. Any delays will directly undermine the regime’s political timeline.

Limited operational effort. The Washington Post reports that North Korea’s frigate program isn’t aimed at creating a truly capable naval force. Instead, its goal seems to be enhancing the country’s image as a self-sufficient military power in the eyes of both its population and the international community. This is reflected in Kim’s participation in the tests, the deployment of experimental missiles, and the media attention surrounding the Choi Hyon class.

In the end, the mere existence of these platforms, potentially armed with nuclear missiles, poses a significant threat that other countries shouldn’t underestimate. In this context, the failure of the Chongjin launch isn’t just a technical setback. It’s a symbolic blow to the core of Pyongyang’s strategic narrative.

Images | Micha Brändli | Maxar Technologies/CSIS

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