Chanjok Jachido-class cruiser

The Chanjok Jachido-class are a group of three large warships built for the Menghean Navy in the 1990s. While Anglian sources usually refer to them as cruisers or helicopter cruisers due to their large size and command facilities, in Menghe they are officially classified as Large Anti-Submarine Patrol Ships (대형 대잠수함 초계함 / 大型對潛水艦哨戒艦, Daehyŏng Daejamsuham Chogyeham). As the name suggests, they are designed to lead surface action groups on anti-submarine patrols, and for this purpose they come equipped with advanced sonar equipment and a hangar supporting four GH-28 helicopters. All three ships received major refits in the 2010s, and all remain in active service as of 2020.

Role in reclassification of ships

Prior to the introduction of the Chanjok Jachido class, the hull type DChD (Large Anti-Submarine Patrol Ship) was assigned to the Ginam-class frigates, which had helicopter hangars and division command facilities. Because the Chanjok Jachidos were so much larger and more capable, the Menghean Navy decided to reclassify all of its anti-submarine warships to reflect their new distribution.

Under the updated classification scheme, the Chanjok Jachidos remained Large Anti-Submarine Patrol Ships; the Ginams were reclassified as Medium Anti-Submarine Patrol Ships; the Mugunghwas were reclassified as Small Anti-Submarine Patrol Ships; and the previous classes of Small Anti-Submarine Patrol Ship were retired from service, having long ago become obsolete.

Ships in the class

A total of three Chanjok Jachido-class cruisers were completed. All are named after Menghean Semi-Autonomous Provinces (자치도 / 自治道, jachido), specifically the SAPs of the Chan (Argentan), Rak (Lac), and Kungnae (Kungnai) minorities. No other Menghean warships have been named for province-level divisions.