North Korea tested weapons from its new 5,000-ton warship, the Choe Hyon, earlier this week, launching missiles and artillery during drills off the country’s west coast, according to state-run media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
3️⃣ 🇰🇵NORTH KOREA SHOWS OFF NEW WARSHIP
Kim Jong-un oversaw the first weapons test of the Choe Hyon destroyer on Apr 28–29, state media KCNA says.
The tests included cruise missiles, anti-air systems & jamming tech. pic.twitter.com/aRLX7ptj2x
— Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) April 30, 2025
The tests, conducted near the port city of Nampo on Monday and Tuesday, were observed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Kim Jong Un’s next-gen warship fires off supersonic cruise missiles in FIRST-ever weapons test
5,000-ton destroyer armed with ‘the most POWERFUL weapons’ pic.twitter.com/oC7y0vcIth
— RT (@RT_com) April 29, 2025
KCNA reported that the Choe Hyon tested a variety of advanced weaponry, including a supersonic cruise missile, a long-range strategic cruise missile, an anti-aircraft missile, and a 127mm automatic shipboard gun.
According to The War Zone, one of the cruise missiles fired appears to be a version of the Hwasal-2, a strategic cruise missile with potential nuclear capability.
Additional exercises featured the launch of “fleet tactical guided weapons,” along with the operation of various onboard systems including machine guns, smokescreens, and countermeasure dispensers.
Kim said the ship is part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s military and naval forces. He emphasized building a strong attack capability and called for accelerating the navy’s nuclear armament. “It is important to establish a proactive and aggressive defence system on the premise of powerful attack capability,” Kim was quoted as saying by KCNA.
The ship was officially unveiled the previous weekend during a ceremony at Nampo. Kim said it would enter service early next year and called it a major step forward for North Korea’s navy.
#Breaking: #NorthKorea unveiled its new Choe Hyon-class multipurpose destroyer today. This 5,000-ton warshin is built in 400 days. pic.twitter.com/sPFqglQAGS
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) April 26, 2025
The unveiling of the warship follows North Korea’s official reveal of its first airborne early warning and control aircraft based on a Russian-made Il-76 transport aircraft, as well as its first artificial intelligence-powered suicide drones.
