Cruise Missile Launch From Choe Hyon Class Destroyer
North Korea has demonstrated the long-range strike capability of its new Choe Hyon-class destroyer in a live-fire drill off its west coast. The exercise featured coordinated launches of cruise and anti-ship missiles, aimed at testing the ship’s combat systems and crew readiness.
Analysts say the warship’s ability to conduct land-attack missions could increase risks for U.S. and allied bases across the Pacific. Equipped with 74 vertical launch cells, some potentially capable of carrying nuclear payloads, the vessel highlights Pyongyang’s growing focus on advanced naval power.
The destroyer, launched in 2025, is part of North Korea’s wider military modernization programme, alongside developments in submarine and hypersonic weapons.
Tags:
North Korea, US Military, Pacific Security, Cruise Missiles, Naval Warfare, Ballistic Missiles, Military Modernization, Defense Technology, Asia-Pacific, Kim Jong Un
