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North Korea's Largest Warship Under Construction
North Korea is building its largest warship, a guided-missile frigate, in an effort to modernize its naval fleet and potentially pose a significant threat to regional security.
Photo of travel, north korea, dprk, and american flag in Pjöngjang, Nordkorea by Micha Brändli (@micha_braendli)
Recent satellite images have revealed that North Korea is building its largest warship ever, a guided-missile frigate that could potentially double the size of anything in leader Kim Jong Un’s naval fleet. The images, taken on April 6, show the ship under construction at the Nampo shipyard on North Korea’s west coast.
The ship is approximately 140 meters (459 feet) long, making it the largest warship manufactured in North Korea. The vessel is likely designed to carry missiles in vertical launch tubes for use against targets on land and sea. Images from state-run Korean Central Television (KCTV) show leader Kim inspecting the ship’s construction.
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Analysts say the warship could have advanced warfighting abilities, including vertical launch cells and phased-array radar. However, they urge caution in making assumptions, noting that building a modern warship requires integrating complex technologies.
The construction of this warship is part of North Korea's efforts to modernize its naval fleet, which currently consists of old and small vessels. Kim has been pushing to upgrade his naval capabilities, including developing submarine-launched missiles and new submarines.
If North Korea equips the new frigate with hypersonic ballistic missiles, it could have a game-changing impact on regional security. Analysts estimate that the ship may take over a year to complete and begin sea trials.
The closer ties between North Korea and Russia since the Ukraine war may be helping North Korea overcome UN sanctions. Some analysts believe Moscow may be providing technology for the frigate's missile systems.
In addition to this warship, North Korea is reportedly building a nuclear-powered submarine and another frigate or destroyer. These developments highlight North Korea's ongoing efforts to modernize its military capabilities.
