Nampo-class corvette

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Class overview

Builders	Nampo Shipyard, No 28 Shipyard Najin^[1]
Operators	Korean People's Navy
Preceded by	Soho-class frigate
Built	2013-2014
In commission	2013-present
Completed	2
Active	2
General characteristics
Type	Corvette
Displacement	1300 ~ 1500tons
Length	76 metres (249 ft)
Beam	11 metres (36 ft)
Draught	3.4 metres (11 ft)
Propulsion	diesel
Speed	unknown
Range	unknown
Complement	unknown
Sensors and processing systems	unknown
Armament	Missiles 2x2 Kumsong-3 anti-ship & land-attack cruise missiles; short-range Igla surface-to-air missiles; Guns OTO Melara 76 mm 2 30mm gatlings AK-230 CIWS; 2-4 14.5x114 manned gatlings Anti-submarine 4 RBU-1200 five-tube fixed launchers 2x2 533mm torpedoe tubes
Aircraft carried	1 helicopter (likely with either Mil Mi-4 PL or Mil Mi-14 PL)^[1]
Aviation facilities	helicopter pad only
Notes	^[2]

The Nampo-class corvettes (or light frigates) are a class of warships built in North Korea. They were seen from satellite-photos in 2013 and are believed to be a replacement for the older Soho-class frigate. The class has some similarities to Myanmar Navy UMS Tabinshweht, an Anawrahta-class frigate.^[3]

Two known hulls have been launched: one on the Sea of Japan in Najin and one in Nampo for service in the Yellow Sea.^[1]

Specification

Little is known of their features and weapons. One of the clear element is the presence of a helicopter-deck^[1] and possibly even a small hangar on the hull.

The only weapon system identified is anti-submarine rockets (RBU 1200 A/S mortars), thus making the corvette a response for the recent developments of the South Korean Navy in the field of submarines.

Further weapons could be added however, including guns and anti-ship missiles (such as the Kh-35, known to have been recently put in service in the KPN).^[1] The potential missile systems appears to be SAM and SSM.

By western standard, the ships should be considered corvettes, however they're also described as light frigates for their role.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Bermudez Jr., Joseph S. (May 15, 2014). "New North Korean Helicopter Frigates Spotted". 38 North.
^ @GreatPoppo. 朝鮮人民軍海軍の新型コルベット「南浦級」の画像が公開されました。#北朝鮮 #軍事 #NorthKorea. Twitter (in Japanese).
^ O'Carroll, Chad (November 8, 2016). "Exclusive: New low-visibility corvette spotted in North Korea". NK News.

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