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The Krivak Frigate
Dimensions: L 124m, W 14m Displacement : 3750t
Armament: Varies but could include anti-ship missiles, medium caliber guns, AAA and SAMs. 21” torpedo tubes are a given.
Aircraft : Helipad and hanger for one medium helicopter such as the Kamov Ka-28 Helix.
North Korea has a single Krivak-III frigate but the circumstances and operational readiness remain something of a mystery. It is astonishing that it doesn’t seen to have caught the eye of military observers given that it is clearly visible on Google Earth (coordinates: 38 43 07N, 125 23 44E).
No export of Krivak frigates from Russia or Ukraine has been reported.
One possibility is that it was obtained from Russia for scrap, although that too is likely to have been reported. The remaining option, that it has been built locally is not impossible but it is somewhat unlikely.
Another confusing aspect is its conspicuous lack of weapons or scars where weapons and minor structures have been that might be expected of a scrapped warship – one explanation is that after the weapons were removed the hull was made storm-proof by patching the holes, but if that is the case the Russians appear to have been somewhat over-thorough as the whole foredeck appears sealed. On the other hand the mounting for the 21” torpedo tubes amidships is clearly visible.
Even if the ship was purchased for scrap it does not appear to being scrapped and it remains probable that the North Koreans intend to bring the ship into service irrespective of the backstory."