Korean People's Army Naval Force Fleet Inventory 🇰🇵

The Korean People's Navy (KPN), the naval branch of the North Korean armed forces, primarily operates as a coastal or brown-water navy within a 50 kilometer exclusion zone. It is part of the Korean People's Army and consists of two main fleets: the East Coast Fleet and the West Coast Fleet, with headquarters at Toejo Dong and Nampo, respectively. Geographical limitations prevent these fleets from supporting each other in conflict situations.

The North Korea Navy inventory includes about 780 vessels, which encompass a diverse range of small combatants like patrol boats, guided missile boats, torpedo boats, frigates, corvettes, and cruisers. Notably, the navy maintains a significant number of submarines, including midget submarines, Romeo-class submarines, and Whiskey-class submarines acquired from the Soviet Union.

Most of the navy's vessels are small, patrol-size craft, limited to operations within 50 nautical miles of the coast. These vessels are well-suited for policing territorial waters. The navy also possesses numerous amphibious craft designed for clandestine operations and midget submarines intended for the insertion of special operations forces into South Korea.

The Korean People's Navy most advanced weaponry includes guided-missile patrol boats equipped with P-15 Termit anti-ship missiles. Despite their small size, these boats can rapidly respond to threats near the coast. Additionally, the navy has a considerable number of torpedo boats, nearly half of which are domestically built, and unique vessels like the Chaho fire-support patrol units, equipped with multiple rocket launchers.

The KPN also has over 200 personnel landing crafts, including the Nampo class, which are capable of carrying up to 30 troops. Additionally, the navy possesses a credible mine warfare capability, with numerous small surface ships capable of laying mines for defensive purposes.

Key facts

Number of active ships by category