| navy | The Navy, organized under the Naval Command, is composed of two fleet
commands for the East and West Seas, respectively, 13 naval squadrons and two maritime
sniper brigades.
Although the North Korean Navy possesses the capability to carry out a surprise attack at
any time with 60% of its forces positioned south of the Pyongyang-Wonsan line, its capacity
for deep-sea operations are limited due to the small, high-speed vessels that make up much of
the fleet.
Surface forces are mostly composed of small, high-speed vessels such as guided missile
boats, torpedo boats, small patrol craft and fire support patrol craft. Their mission is to
support the advancement of the Ground Force in connection with ground operations, while
also carrying out coastal defense. More recently, the Navy has added new mid- to large-size
vessels and various types of VSV40) to enhance its surface strike capability.
<Chart 1-5> Key Assets of the north Korean navy
surface Combatants
Approx. 430
Amphibious Vessels
Approx. 250
Mine sweepers
Approx. 20
Auxiliary Vessels
Approx. 40
submarines
Approx. 70
| Air force | The Air Force Command of North Korea has been renamed the Air and
Anti-Air Force Command. Five flight divisions, one tactical transport brigade and two air
force sniper brigades and air defense units are under its command.
The North Korean Air Force, with around 1,630 aircraft, has positioned its forces in four
different zones. Close to 40% of fighter aircraft are forward positioned south of the Pyongyang-Wonsan line. With the recent forward deployment of additional bases, the North Korean
Air Force has achieved a posture capable of delivering swift strikes with minimum preparations.
Through the enhancement of SAMs41) and improvement of the performance of weapons
systems including long-range missiles, the North Korean Air Force has attained the capacity
to carry out surprise attacks against ROK’s surveillance and reconnaissance assets, command
and control facilities, anti-air assets and industrial facilities without deploying additional
aircraft. Its AN-2 aircraft and helicopters can transport large-scale special operations forces
40) Very Slender Vessel.
41) Surface-to-air Missile.
30
Chapter 1 Changes and Challenges in the Security environment