 1993 aerial port side view of a North Korean Navy Najin-class frigate underway; a hull number (531) is visible toward the bow.
| |
| 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 (11,000 kW); 2 shafts[1] |
| Speed | 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)[1] |
| Range | 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)[1] |
| Complement | 180[1] |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
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 Soviet Kola-class frigates, they are unrelated to any Russian or Chinese design.[2] The class was originally fitted with a trainable triple 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo launcher, which was replaced in the mid-1980s with fixed P-15 Termit 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.[2]
In 2023, two or more of these frigates remain active with North Korea's navy a full half-century after they were commissioned. An estimated two or more have been retired, though what has been done with them since then is unknown.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Moore, John Evelyn (1983). Jane's Fighting Ships 1983-84. p. 299. ISBN 0-7106-0774-1.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ "Wayback Machine has not archived that URL". bemil.chosun.com. Retrieved 17 September 2023.[dead link]