- Yes
- No
TL;DR
An indigenous patrol craft class, similar to the Soju-class (lengthened Soviet Osa-1 class), armed with an 85mm cannon and a BMD-20 rocket launcher.
History
The Osa-1 (Pr. 205) is a Soviet missile boat class, constructed from 1960-1973. Over 400 were built, and 12 were transferred to North Korea from 1968-1973. North Korea indigenously produced it with minor modifications in the 1970s and 80s as the Soju-class.
The Ch’ŏngju-class is little-known class of patrol craft initially constructed from 1973-1974. Some sources suggest it is a modified Soju-class hull, but it appears to be distinct, with at least a modified deckhouse, and a slightly altered bow.
Nine hulls were produced – five located at Nampo (West coast) and four at Najin (East coast). Of these, only one at Nampo was armed as a fire support patrol craft (PCFS) – combining aspects of the Ch’ŏngjin-class and Ch’aho-class. It was disassembled in 1976, and no photos exist (in the public domain). A number of other variants exist, including missile attack boats, patrol craft, and torpedo boats. None appear to have survived to this day. This suggestion is for the fire support variant.
Characteristics
The Ch’ŏngju PCFS has an 85mm cannon at the front of the hull, in an identical turret to other small boats in North Korean service, such as the Ch’ŏngjin-class. The cannon is highly likely to be a derivative of the ZiS-S-53 found on the T-34-85, or the Type-62-85-TC as found on the Type 62/63, all of which are operated by the KPA. This cannon can fire APHE and HE rounds.
The Ch’ŏngju PCFS also carries a Soviet BMD-20 rocket launcher amidships. These carry 8 MD-20F rockets, each one carrying a 30kg HE warhead. The launcher is connected to an automated loading mechanism at the stern, enabling the ship to reload quite quickly compared to what it otherwise would be (a couple of minutes). This is a very similar, likely identical, set-up to the Ch’aho.
- Rocket launcher and loading mechanism on the Ch’aho
While the only drawings that exist show the Ch’ŏngju PCFS with a 14.5mm machine gun, reports on the ships don’t indicate this. Other variants did receive various machine guns, as is stated in those same reports, but the PCFS variant probably never did.
The Ch’ŏngju PCFS likely has the same characteristics as the Soju/Osa-1. The ship has an all-steel hull, and has 3 M-503G engines, providing 4000hp each, and enabling the ship to reach speeds of 71.3km/h (38.5 knots). The standard Soju has a displacement of 171-209t (depending on load), which is probably very similar for the Ch’ŏngju.
Conclusion
The Ch’ŏngju PCFS would be a fun mid-rank gunboat, for either a North Korean branch in a future Chinese coastal fleet or a United Korean fleet tree, likely at around 3.3 – combining the turret of the Ch’ŏngjin with the rockets of the Ch’aho, but sacrificing any sort of secondary armament in the process.
Specifications
Primary Armament: 1x 85mm anti-tank cannon
Rocket Armament: 1x BMD-20 rocket launcher, 8x MD-20F rockets (At least 16 rounds total)
Displacement: 171 tons standard; 209 tons full load
Length: 42.3m
Beam: 7.2m
Draft: 2.1m
Crew: ~28
Engine: 3x M-503G, 4000hp each (12,000hp total)
Top Speed: 71.3km/h; 38.5 knots
Images
No photos known to exist.
- Rough diagram of multiple variants of the Ch’ŏngju; not 100% accurate.
Sources
Spoiler
Construction and Modification of North Korean Naval Combatants, January 1983 through July 1986 (S) – CIA Imagery Analysis Report
North Korean Naval Shipbuilding July 1980 – August 1982 (S) – CIA Imagery Interpretation Report
Modification of Chongju Patrol Craft. Nampo Shipyard, North Korea – CIA Report
The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun – Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
Overview — CHONG JU class** — Small Combatants — Ships — Weapons — Military Periscope
'CHONG JU' fast attack craft (rocket) (1975-1980)