Slide 15 of 21
Notes:
THE NORTH KOREAN NAVY INVENTORY INCLUDES MORE THAN 700 COMBATANTS CONSISTING PRIMARILY OF OLDER PATROL AND TORPEDO BOATS. HOWEVER, THE NORTH ALSO HAS 39 MISSILE ATTACK BOATS EQUIPPED WITH THE 25 NAUTICAL MILE RANGE STYX ANTI-SHIP MISSILE AND 24 ATTACK SUBMARINES. TO SUPPORT SOF OPERATIONS, THEIR NAVAL INVENTORY INCLUDES NUMEROUS TYPES OF PERSONNEL LANDING CRAFTS (LCPA’S) WITH VARYING LIFT CAPABILITIES. ALTHOUGH THE NORTH KOREAN NAVY IS A “BROWN WATER” FORCE, IT IS A CREDIBLE THREAT DUE PRIMARILY TO ITS LARGE SIZE AND EXTENSIVE MINE LAYING CAPABILITY. ALSO, THEIR ATTACK SUBMARINE FLEET COULD BE EFFECTIVE IN INTERDICTING ROK/U.S. SEA LINES OF COMMUNICATION.
THE 46,000 NKN IS PRIMARILY A COASTAL DEFENSE NAVY. IT IS ORGANIZED INTO TWO FLEETS: THE EAST COAST AND WEST COAST FLEETS.
