Soho-class frigate

The Soho-class frigates was a class of naval warship in North Korea. The warship used a twin-hulled design, which is unusual for North Korea. As there is only one ship in the class, it is likely that the ship was purely experimental.

Class overview
Name	Soho-class frigate
Builders	Najin Shipyards[1]
Operators	Korean People's Navy
Succeeded by	Nampo-class corvette
In commission	1982–2009
Planned	Unknown
Building	?
Completed	1
Retired	1
General characteristics (as per Janes)
Type	Twin-hulled frigate
Displacement	1640 tons full load
Length	73.8 metres (242 ft)
Beam	15.5 metres (51 ft)
Draught	3.8 metres (12 ft)
Installed power	Unknown
Propulsion	diesel
Speed	23 kts
Range	Unknown
Complement	190 [1]
Sensors & processing systems	Radar Surface search – Square Tie Fire control – Drum Tilt Sonar Stag horn sonar; hull-mounted active search/attack
Electronic warfare & decoys	Chinese RW-23 Jug Pair (Watch Dog) ESM
Armament	Missiles four CSS-N-2 SSM; Guns One 100mm/56; four 37mm/63 (2 twin); four 25mm/60 (2 twin); Anti-submarine mortars Two RBU 1200 5-tube fixed launchers
Armour	Light
Aircraft carried	1 Mil Mi-4 (seen on board in 2000–2007[2]
Aviation facilities	landing platform for medium helicopter, no visible hangar
Notes	Twin-hulled design; continuous maindeck from stem to sternShips in class include: Experimental – only one built, Pennant number 823

In 2014 it was reported that the ship was retired and scrapped in 2009. The new light helicopter-carrier frigate of Nampo-class corvette has been designed as its replacement.^[2]

Citations

1. The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships. p. 424.
2. "New North Korean Helicopter Frigates Spotted". 38 North. May 15, 2014.

References

• Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World. Naval Institute Press. p. 424. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.