Nampo-class corvette

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]

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 & 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]

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.