North Korea’s destroyer missile test activity drew fresh attention after state media said Pyongyang launched strategic cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles from its naval destroyer Choe Hyon during an operational trial. According to KCNA, the test took place on Sunday and was observed by leader Kim Jong Un along with senior defence officials and naval commanders.
The launch was part of efforts to assess the warship’s combat readiness and onboard weapons systems. KCNA said two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-warship missiles were fired during the exercise.
The test was designed to examine the destroyer’s integrated weapons command system, train crews in launch procedures, and verify the accuracy and anti-jamming performance of upgraded navigation systems. State media said the cruise missiles flew for about 7,869 to 7,920 seconds, while the anti-warship missiles flew for about 1,960 to 1,973 seconds over waters off North Korea’s western coast before hitting their targets with what KCNA described as ultra-precision accuracy.
The report said Kim was also briefed the same day on plans for weapons systems for two more destroyers under construction. That suggests North Korea is preparing its third and fourth vessels in the Choe Hyon class, adding to signs that Pyongyang is moving beyond a single-platform test phase and toward a broader destroyer force. Kim said strengthening North Korea’s nuclear war deterrent remained a top priority. He also called for improved strategic and tactical strike capabilities, as well as stronger rapid-response readiness.
More destroyers point to wider naval ambitions
North Korea first tested weapons on the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class warship in April 2025. In June, Kim announced plans to build two additional destroyers in 2026 and commission two ships of the same or a more advanced class each year. Professor Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University said the mention of a fourth destroyer appeared to be the first official sign that construction had moved beyond earlier public announcements.
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He said the reference to the third and fourth destroyers suggested North Korea was accelerating the creation of a destroyer flotilla rather than fielding isolated warships. He added that faster follow-on production often happens after initial testing is judged successful. Lim also said weapons development appeared to be accelerating across several fronts as North Korea seeks to take advantage of global strategic distractions, including conflict in the Middle East, to push ahead with advances in nuclear and delivery systems.
