North Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer
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SEOUL – North Korea conducted another test-firing of strategic cruise missiles and anti-warship missiles on April 12 as part of operational efficiency trials of its destroyer Choe Hyon, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on April 14.
Leader Kim Jong Un observed the test alongside senior defence officials and naval commanders, the report said.
Two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-warship missiles were fired to check the warship’s integrated weapons command system, train crews in missile-launch procedures and verify the accuracy and anti-jamming performance of upgraded navigation systems, KCNA said.
The cruise missiles flew for about 2hr 11min to 2hr 12min and the anti-warship missiles for about 32min 42sec to 32min 53sec over waters off the country’s western coast, striking their targets with what the report described as ultra-precision accuracy.
KCNA said Mr Kim was briefed the same day on weapons system plans for two additional destroyers under construction.
Mr Kim said strengthening what he called the country’s nuclear war deterrent remained a top priority, and called for improving strategic and tactical strike capabilities and rapid-response readiness, the report said.
Pyongyang first test-fired weapons on the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class warship in April 2025, and in June Mr Kim announced plans to build two additional destroyers in 2026 and commission two ships of the same or a more advanced class annually.
Professor Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University said the reference to a fourth destroyer appeared to be the first official acknowledgement of construction on the vessel beyond earlier announcements.
“The mention of the third and fourth destroyers suggests North Korea is accelerating the formation of a destroyer flotilla rather than fielding isolated platforms,” Prof Lim said, adding that faster follow-on production typically follows once initial testing is considered successful.
Prof Lim said weapons development appeared to be speeding up across multiple fronts as North Korea seeks to exploit global strategic distractions, including the conflict in the Middle East, to push ahead with irreversible advances in nuclear and delivery capabilities.
The North Korean Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. REUTERS
