- Yes
- No
- China
- Not as a sub-tree, but as a full tree (e.g. United Korea tree)
- Other
- I said no
- Shown integrated into @light165neptune’s Chinese Coastal Tree suggestion, go check it out!
- Also thanks to @JamesPond1200-psn for help with BRs!
Vehicles
Rank II
K-48
K-48-class
The K-48 is one of North Korea’s earliest indigenous ship designs, likely developed in the 1950s alongside the Ch’odo-class and Patrol Boat 41 ‘Worker’. The K-48 was originally designed as a submarine chaser, although later lost its ASW weaponry. An unknown number were constructed, and different ships feature different weaponry at different times. I’m suggesting it in one of its later forms (no. 573), fitted with a 76mm main cannon, 3x 37mm cannons, and 2x dual 14.5mm cannons.
BR 2.3.
Armament: 1x 76mm 3-K ‘M1931/M1938’, 3x 37mm 61-K, 2x dual 14.5mm KPV
Mobility: ~110 tons, 24 knots
Rank III
Pr. 53 (1003)
Project 53-class, 1003
Suggestion Post
Pr. 53 (1003) is one of two or three Pr. 53 ‘Fugas’ class ships sent from the Soviet Union to the DPRK in the 1950s. This version, numbered 1003, is the ship in its original form, equipped with a 100mm cannon, 3x 37mm cannons, and depth charges.
BR 2.7.
Armament: 1x 100mm B-24BM, 3x 37mm 61-K, 30x mines, 2x depth charge racks (6x each)
Mobility: 490-535t, 18 knots
Ch'aho (BM-21)
Ch’aho-class (BM-21)
Suggestion Post
The Ch’aho-class is a class of upgraded Soviet Pr. 183 (P-6) torpedo boats. 50 were produced by the DPRK, armed with either the Soviet BMD-20 or BM-21 rocket launcher. The BM-21 launcher carries 40 rockets and has an automated loading mechanism, as well as 1 or 2 14.5mm rotary cannons (6 barrels).
BR 3.0.
Armament: BM-21 rocket launcher (40x rockets), 1-2x 14.5mm rotary cannons
Mobility: ~67t, 44 knots
Rank IV
Ch’ŏngjin
Ch’ŏngjin-class
Suggestion Post
The Ch’ŏngjin-class is a class of upgraded Soviet Pr. 183 (P-6) torpedo boats, converted to gunboats. Around 50 have been produced. They are fitted with an 85mm cannon, likely a derivative of the Soviet ZiS-S-53 or Chinese Type-62-85-TC. Secondary armament varies between 25mm and 14.5mm cannons, but I’m suggesting the variant with 2x dual 25mm cannons.
BR 3.3.
Armament: 1x 85mm, 2x 25mm 2M-3
Mobility: ~67t, 44 knots
Sariwŏn (510)
Sariwŏn-class, 510
Suggestion Post
The Sariwŏn-class is one of North Korea’s first domestically-built class of large ships. They are derived from the Pr. 53-class ships sent in the 1950s by the Soviet Union. Four Sariwŏn-class ships were constructed in the 1960s, and all went through various upgrades in the following decades. No 510 represents the first design seen, fitted with an 85mm cannon, a twin 57mm cannon, and 4x quad 14.5mm cannons.
BR 3.7.
Armament: 1x 85mm, 1x dual 57mm ZiF-31, 4x quad 14.5mm ZPU-4
Mobility: 650t, 21 knots
Sonyeon
Taech’ŏng-I class, 623, ‘Sonyeon’
Suggestion Post
The Taech’ŏng class is a highly-successful class of gunboats derived from the Chinese Hainan-class, lengthened and up-gunned. At least seven Taech’ŏng-I class ships were built, in two or three batches. No. 623 ‘Sonyeon’ (meaning ‘Boy’) represents a modernised ship of the first batch, fitted with a variety of weapons, including an 85mm cannon mounted frontally, as well as 14.5mm, 25mm, 57mm cannons, and ASW weaponry.
BR 3.7.
Armament: 1x 85mm, 1x dual 57mm ZiF-31, 1x 25mm 2M-3, 2x 14.5mm gatling guns, 2x RBU-1200, 12x depth charges
Mobility: 385-410t, 30.5 knots
Rank V
Najin (531) (1973)
Najin-class, 531 (1973)
Suggestion Post
The Najin-class is North Korea’s first class of domestic frigates, inspired by the Soviet Pr. 42 ‘Kola’ class. Two sister ships were constructed in the 1970s, for the east and west coast, numbered 531 and 631 respectively. They have both undergone large upgrades since. No. 531 in 1973 represents its earliest form, fitted with a variety of weapons and torpedoes, but also severely outdated for the 1970s.
BR 4.0.
Armament: 2x 100mm B-34, 2x dual 57mm ZiF-31, 2x dual 25mm 2M-3, 4x quad 14.5mm ZPU-4, 3x 533mm torpedoes, 1x RBU-1200
Mobility: >1600t, 26 knots
Taech’ŏng-II (515)
Taech’ŏng-II class, 515
Suggestion Post
The Taech’ŏng class is a highly-successful class of gunboats derived from the Chinese Hainan-class, lengthened and up-gunned. The Taech’ŏng-II-class improves upon the Taech’ŏng-I-class, featuring more modern weaponry. Compared to Taech’ŏng-I ‘Sonyeon’ in this tree, no. 515 upgrades the 85mm to a 100mm cannon, and the 25mm/14.5mm cannons to 2x 30mm AK-230s.
BR 4.3.
Armament: 1x 100mm, 1x dual 57mm ZiF-31, 2x 30mm AK-230, 2x RBU-1200, 12x depth charges
Mobility: 385-420t, 30.5 knots
Najin (631) (2014)
Najin-class, 631, 2014
Suggestion Post
The Najin-class is North Korea’s first class of domestic frigates, inspired by the Soviet Pr. 42 ‘Kola’ class. Two sister ships were constructed in the 1970s, for the east and west coast, numbered 531 and 631 respectively. They have both undergone large upgrades since — in 2014, no. 631 underwent a modernisation program, equipping it with Kŭmsŏng-3 AShMs, 30mm AK-230s, a SAM launcher, chaff launchers, and even more 25mm 2M-3s.
BR 4.7.
Armament: 8x Kŭmsŏng-3 AShMs, 2x 100mm B-34, 1x dual 57mm ZiF-31, 2x 30mm AK-230, 6x 25mm 2M-3, SAM launcher, 2x 533mm torpedoes
Mobility: >1600t, 26 knots
Premium and Event Vehicles
Rank II
Worker
Patrol Boat 41, ‘Worker’
Suggestion Post
Patrol Boat 41 ‘Worker’ is — according to the North Korean state — the first domestically-produced ship, built in 1949 and used in the Korean War. In actuality, it was likely produced during the late 1950s at the earliest. It was based on the Soviet Pr. 201 and may have served as a prototype of sorts for the more numerous Ch’odo-class. It has been renumbered numerous times, and was last seen sometime in the 1980s or 1990s. It is armed almost identically to the K-48, although is (supposedly) slightly larger and faster, and has one fewer 37mm cannon.
BR 2.3.
Armament: 1x 76mm 3-K ‘M1931/M1938’, 2x 37mm 61-K, 2x dual 14.5mm KPV
Mobility: 235t, 27 knots
Rank III
Chae Jeong-bo
Ch’odo-class, 51, ‘Chae Jeong-bo’
Suggestion Post
The Ch’odo-class is a series of indigenous patrol boats derived from the Soviet Pr. 201, constructed sometime in the late 1950s-early 1960s. The K-48 and Patrol Boat 41 likely served as prototypes. Around four Ch’odo-class ships were constructed, each differing slightly in weaponry. Three seem to still be in service to some extent. No. 51 is the most well-known of the class, and is named after a naval commander in the KPANF (Chae Jeong-bo).
BR 2.7.
Armament: 1x 76mm 3-K ‘M1931/M1938’, 2x 37mm 61-K, 3x dual 14.5mm KPV
Mobility: 235t, 27 knots
Rank IV
Ch’ŏngju PCFS
Ch’ŏngju-class PCFS
Suggestion Post
The Ch’ŏngju-class is a little-known class of patrol craft, derived from the Soju-class (lengthened Soviet Osa-1-class). Nine hulls were produced, and only one was armed as a fire support patrol craft (PCFS). No photos are available, but CIA reports describe it as a combination of the Ch’ŏngjin-class and Ch’aho-class — featuring the 85mm turret of the former and the BMD-20 rocket launcher of the latter. The ship was disassembled only 2-3 years later in 1976.
BR 3.0.
Armament: 1x 85mm, 1x BMD-20 rocket launcher
Mobility: 209t, 38.5 knots
Kim Yŏngsik Hero
Tŭngsan’got-class, 684, ‘Kim Yŏngsik Hero’
Suggestion Post
The Tŭngsan’got-class is a series of indigenous derivatives of the Soviet Pr. 201-class, produced after the Ch’odo-class (and K-48 and Patrol Boat 41). They are fitted with better weaponry than the original Soviet ships. No. 684 is one of the most well-known, and is named after its captain who died during the Second Battle of Yeongpyeong in 2002 — Kim Yŏngsik.
BR 3.3.
Armament: 1x 100mm, 2x dual 37mm 61-K, 1x rotary 14.5mm, 4x RBU-1200
Mobility: 240t, 27 knots
Rank V
Najin (531) (1993)
Najin-class, 531, 1993
Suggestion Post
The Najin-class is North Korea’s first class of domestic frigates, inspired by the Soviet Pr. 42 ‘Kola’ class. Two sister ships were constructed in the 1970s, for the east and west coast, numbered 531 and 631 respectively. They have both undergone large upgrades since. In the 80s, both ships had their torpedoes removed and replaced with AShMs. At a later point in the 80s-90s, they received upgraded machine guns. This variant is no. 531 seen during the 1990s (first in 1993) after both those upgrades.
BR 4.3.
Armament: 2x 100mm B-34, 2x dual 57mm ZiF-31, 2x 30mm AK-230, 6x 25mm 2M-3, 2x P-15 ‘Styx’ AShMs
Mobility: >1600t, 26 knots
Soho (823)
Soho-class, 823
Suggestion Post
The Soho-class is North Korea’s only frigate aside from the Najin-class (and a new class currently under construction). It was a much more radical design than the almost-immediately outdated Najin-class, featuring a catamaran-hull, missiles, and a helicopter pad. Only one ship was built, numbered 823. Design flaws, likely being unstable in exposed waters, meant it spent most of its service life in port, before being scrapped in 2009.
BR 4.3.
Armament: 1x 100mm, 2x 57mm ZiF-31, 2x 30mm AK-230, 2x 25mm 2M-3, 4x RBU-1200, 4x P-15 ‘Styx’ or Kŭmsŏng-1 AShMs
Mobility: 1600t, 25 knots
🇲🇲 Aung Zeya (F-11)
UMS Aung Zeya-class Frigate (F-11)
The Aung Zeya-class is a Myanmar frigate-class, with only one ship (F-11). In the early 2000s, North Korea and Myanmar engaged in a number of collaborative military projects. The Aung Zeya, Myanmar’s first frigate, is a result of this collaboration. North Korea provided the design, most of the weaponry, and some of the radar suite. While almost all the weapons were North Korean, the main gun, the OTO Melara 76mm, was sourced from Israel (even though North Korea does also produce a domestic copy).
BR 5.0.
Armament: 1x 76mm OTO Melara, 4x 30mm AK-630 derivatives, 2x 14.5mm rotary guns, 8x Kŭmsŏng-3 AShMs, 1x SAM launcher, 2x RBU-1200, 2x 324mm YU-7 torpedoes
Mobility: 2500t, 30 knots
History of the KPN
The Korean People’s Navy (KPN), or Korean People’s Army Navy (KPAN, KPANF), was formed on the 5th June 1946. The KPN is one of the largest navies in the world, with around 60,000 personnel and around 420 armed vessels. The KPN is split between two fleets — East Sea and West Sea, which are completely cut off from each other. The East Sea fleet is generally better equipped, given the increased threat of the United States Navy.
During the Korean War, North Korean ships were limited to Soviet G-5 torpedo boats and a variety of civilian ships converted into impromptu gunboats. North Korea’s naval performance was therefore poor, despite claims otherwise by the state (such as the sinking of the USS Baltimore, which didn’t even see action in the war).
After the war, North Korea was re-equipped by both the Soviet Union and China. This continued through the '50s and '60s. In the late 1960s and 1970s, North Korea sought to modernise their military under the emerging ideology of Juche — a derivative of Marxism-Leninism that emphasises self-reliance politically, economically, and militarily. For the KPN, this meant the halting of foreign imports and a focus on domestic production. Much of these indigenous designs were, however, still based heavily on earlier Soviet and Chinese designs, and a number of the original ships are still in service.
Despite the end of the war, the KPN has been involved in a number of battles with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). Both countries disagree on their maritime borders, in particular around the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow/West Sea. North Korea began to dispute the borders in 1973, and two key clashes have taken place as a result: the First Battle of Yeongpyeong in 1999 and the Second Battle of Yeongpyeong in 2002.
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- Northern Limit Line and North Korea’s claims
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- Taech’ŏng-I class no. 680 during the 1999 Battle of Yeongpyeong
The KPN nowadays has a reputation for being incredibly outdated, but this isn’t entirely true, with a number of modern corvettes having been produced over the past decade. Ships like the Tuman-class, Amnok-class, and Nongo-class feature (fairly) advanced radar systems and missiles, although would all likely be outclassed in any future full-scale war.
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- Tuman-class corvette
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- Amnok-class corvette
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- Nongo-class SSES Ib firing Kŭmsŏng-3 AShMS
Place in the Game
Alongside a North Korean ground forces sub-tree, North Korean aviation sub-tree, and North Korean helicopter sub-tree, this sub-tree would provide a way for North Korean ships to enter the game, and bolster the Chinese tree in the process (another option being a United Korean tree, suggestion in the works). This tree provides a number of indigenous North Korean creations, such as the Najin-class, as well as unique derivatives of Soviet/Chinese designs like the Taech’ŏng-I/II class.
I hope you support it!
Sources
Spoiler
- All but two vehicles in this tree have suggestions already, with sources linked on each page. This list covers the more basic generic sources.
The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun – Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
North Korean Naval Shipbuilding July 1980 – August 1982 (S) – CIA Imagery Interpretation Report
Modifications to Patrol Ships, North Korea – CIA Report
Newly Named North Korean Naval Vessels – CIA Report
Significant Photo Interpretations – CIA Report
The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 2005-2006
