Kang Kon destroyer

Service And Conflict Use

1. May 21, 2025

   Initial launch attempt fails

   The destroyer was reported as suffering a failed launch at Chongjin's Hambuk Shipyard before being moved for repair.

   Sources: Launching of North Korea's Second Choe Hyon-Class Destroyer

2. Jun 12, 2025

   Relaunched at Najin

   CSIS imagery showed the Kang Kon launched at the No. 28 Shipyard in Najin after repairs.

   Sources: Launching of North Korea's Second Choe Hyon-Class Destroyer

3. Jun 24, 2026

   Commissioning reported

   Al Jazeera reported that Kim Jong Un pledged to soon commission the Kang Kon as North Korea expanded its large-destroyer program.

   Sources: North Korea commissions warship as Kim eyes nuclear navy

Related Weapon Systems

Naval SystemsProject 956E / 956EM Sovremenny-class destroyerRussian-built guided-missile destroyers exported to the Chinese People's Liberation Army NavyThe Project 956E and 956EM Sovremenny-class destroyers are Russian-built export guided-missile destroyers delivered to the People's Liberation Army Navy in two batches. The first pair were the 956E variant, and the later pair were the improved 956EM ships with updated combat systems and revised weapon fits for Chinese service.

Naval SystemsType 055 / Renhai-class destroyerChinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer or cruiser classThe Type 055, also called the Renhai class, is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class built as a large multirole surface combatant. Open-source references describe it as a 180-meter ship with a 112-cell vertical launch system, carrier-escort air-defense role, and enough size and sensor capacity that NATO and U.S. references often compare it to a cruiser.

Naval SystemsType 45 / Daring classAir-defence destroyer classThe Type 45, or Daring class, is a six-ship Royal Navy air-defence destroyer class built by BAE Systems for fleet and carrier protection. The ships were purpose-built for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare and use Sea Viper as their principal weapon system.

ArtilleryMark 45 5-inch naval gunNaval gunThe Mark 45 5-inch naval gun is the U.S. Navy's standard fully automatic 127 mm deck gun for destroyers and cruisers. In the United States-Iran Conflict archive, CENTCOM and Navy photo coverage show USS Milius firing the weapon during Operation Epic Fury in the Indian Ocean, confirming it as a deployed surface-fire system rather than a legacy mount kept only for ceremonial use.

Naval SystemsChoe Hyon destroyerGuided-missile destroyerThe Choe Hyon is North Korea's first 5,000-tonne destroyer, commissioned at Nampho as a multi-mission warship promoted for cruise-missile, anti-ship, and anti-aircraft roles.

Naval SystemsRiver-class destroyerGuided missile destroyerThe River-class destroyer is Canada's future guided-missile destroyer class, based on BAE Systems' Type 26 design and being built as the Royal Canadian Navy's major new surface combatant. Canadian program documents describe a 15-ship class intended to replace the retired Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates, with SPY-7 radar, an Aegis-linked CMS 330 combat system, and a 127 mm main gun.

Related News

Sources