meanwhile, North Korea has installed cruise missiles, Khwasal-1 or Khwasal-2, on board an Amnok-class light frigate, and not the North Korean version of the Kh-35, as previously assumed.
View attachment 947463
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observing the characteristics of the superstructure it is possible to hypothesize the presence on board of at least 4 cruise missiles.
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Some hints between Amnok class and Damavand II frigate;
1º.- Amnok have machinery exhaust gases just over waterline. That makes very IR signature much lower in the NK frigate. (+1 point)
2º.- Amnok have a MR123 radar (IR channel too¿?), what gives to the frigate a real all weather CIWS capability to their AK630. (+1 point).
3º.- Damavand II has a phased array radar system making her capable of real Air search command and control. Amnok seems to be equipped with a MR 362 radar in X band which has much less detection range. (+1 point).
4º.- Damavand II can presumably launch much longer range Mersad 16 missiles (not VLS evidence until now) like Sahand frigate than Igla SHORAD aboard Amnok (+1 point).
5º.- Amnok have a much more powerful 100mm gun, but lighter Fajr-27 gun is automatic and have rapid fire mode and Damavand II has a IR/EO/TV/LR sensor dedicated to it, giving more precise and rapid fire capability (= points).
6º.- Amnok has long range cruise missiles but Damavand II would be fitted in near future with same type of missiles. None of the ships can have autonomous target designation over the horizon (Mineral ME type or MR 366 radar) to give real OTH targetting, so the use of this kind of missiles is just limited to inshore static targets mostly. (= points).
7º.- Damavand II frigate has helipad, while Amnok hasn´t. That gives Damavand II special ops deployment and more autonomy in high seas (VERTREP and repairing in high seas). (+1 point).
So, just IMHO; 2 points to Amnok and 3 to Damavand.
Please guess with kind of frigate could be built if the knowledge of both navies would be shared. Damavand with a real CIWS and reduced IR signature while NK could have a much more multipurpose frigate with some real AAW capability.
