North Korea is removing most armaments from the new destroyer Choi Hyon, built last year, to install a new weapons system. The VLS was replaced in October with a mid-to-small-sized base aimed at enhancing cruise and air defense capabilities, with further changes likely underway. The Russian Pantsir air defense system has also been removed, indicating a shift away from both Chinese and Russian equipment toward fully indigenous systems; this reflects efforts to improve operational efficiency, address integration issues with foreign gear, and leverage combat experience from Russian deployments. Due to these changes in the weapons systems, the destroyer did not conduct sea trials even in October, with numerous experts dispatched to address integration issues; operational deployment is expected to require considerable additional time. Once this destroyer stabilizes to some extent, upgrades to the second destroyer at Chongjin on the east coast are expected to commence.

Following Kim Jong Un’s directive to construct two new destroyers annually starting this year, additional indoor shipbuilding facilities appear to be under construction.