New North Korean corvettes spotted | IHS Jane's 360

According to IHS Jane's World Navies , the Korean People's Navy (KPN) has for the past 15 years presented the appearance of a modestly capable littoral force with a relatively constant combat ship strength of four frigates, five corvettes, more than 700 other smaller surface vessels. It also has a submarine fleet of more than 80 predominantly coastal and midget submarines, which ranks it as one of the world's largest navies in terms of hull numbers.

However, due to a number of factors, operational surface force figures should be viewed with caution. Moreover, the KPN is strongly rooted in 1960s technology, with the majority of its vessels being fast attack craft - missile, gun, and torpedo - of obsolete design and capabilities.

That said, North Korea's new corvettes not only show Pyongyang's intent of modernising and investing in its naval fleet but also highlight the country's growing naval capabilities. It is unclear where the design for the new ships comes from, but it would represent a significant achievement if it turned out to be an indigenous development, according to analysts.

Analysts also point out that, if armed with long-range missiles, these new vessels could clearly pose a threat to opposing ships, although targeting could prove to be a problem without shipborne helicopters or maritime patrol aircraft.

Despite UN sanctions barring North Korea from conducting any test of nuclear or ballistic missile technology, the isolated country has also continued its weapons development programme and engaged in a series of demonstrations of military might over the past few months.

Analysts say that the modernisation of the KPN and its development of new capabilities are posing an increasing threat to opposing regional navies. North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on 24 August that flew about 500 km in what was probably its most successful SLBM test launch to date.