Najin-class frigate

The North Korean Najin-class frigates are some of the largest vessels in the Korean People's Navy. Although they bear a striking resemblance to ex-Soviet Kola class frigates, they are unrelated to any Russian or Chinese design.[4] The class was originally fitted with a trainable triple 21 inch torpedo launcher, which was replaced in the mid-1980s with fixed Styx missile launchers taken from Osa class missile boats. The design is inherently dangerous, and even a minor missile failure would result in significant damage to the ship.[4]

1993 aerial port side view of a North Korean Navy Najin class frigate underway.
Class overview
Builders: Unknown, but built in North Korea[1] (Najin Shipyards)[2]
Operators:  KPA Naval Force
Built: 1971–1979[1]
In commission: 1973–present
Completed: 4+[1]
Active: 2+
Retired: 2+
General characteristics
Type: Frigate
Displacement: 1,600 long tons (1,600 t)[1]
Length: 328 ft (100 m)[1]
Beam: 32.8 ft (10.0 m)[1]
Draught: 8.9 ft (2.7 m)[1]
Propulsion: 2x diesels; 15,000 bhp; 2 shafts[1]
Speed: 26 knots (30 mph; 48 km/h)[1]
Range: 4,000 nmi (4,600 mi; 7,400 km) at 14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h)[1]
Complement: 180[1]
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Radar
  • Air search: Square Tie
  • Surface search: Pot Head
  • Navigation: Pot Drum
  • Fire control: Drum Tilt
  • Sonar
  • Stag horn; hull-mounted active search/attack sonar
Armament:
  • Missiles:
  • SSM - two SS-N-2 Styx or SS-N-25 Switchblade [3]
  • Guns
  • 2 × 100 mm (4 in)/56 (single); 4x 57 mm (2 in) (twin); twelve or four 30 mm (1 in)/66 (6 or 2 twin);
  • 12 × 25 mm (1 in) machine guns (6 twin)
  • Other:
  • Two RBU 1200 five-tube fixed launchers
  • Depth charges (two projectors, two racks)
  • 30 mines

Upgrades

At least one Najin-class ship appears to have been upgraded with much more modern weaponry in 2014. Refitted at Namp'o, the outdated anti-ship missiles, aft 57mm dual cannon, Drum Tilt fire-control radar and surface search radar were removed, and several new systems were installed. Most clearly identifiable are two 30mm automated turrets at the aft, likely based on the Soviet AK-630 CIWS, and two Kh-35 missile racks with the capacity for about 8 missiles in place of the older Styx/HY-2 launchers. The modernization program appears to be continuing as of December 2014.[5]

References
  1. Jane's Fighting Ships 1983-84. p. 299. ISBN 0-7106-0774-1.
  2. The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships. p. 424.
  4. Wertheim, Eric (2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft and Systems. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. p. 424. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.
  5. "Nknews KPA Navy flagship undergoing radical modernization".


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