North Korea advances in the construction of new warships with cutting-edge technologies (Freepik)
North Korea is building a new large military ship, measuring 117 meters in length and 16 meters in width, with construction starting in May 2024.
Satellite images have revealed that the vessel will feature vertical launch system (VLS) installations for anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and cruise missiles, as well as a designated space for artillery installation at the bow.
This development suggests that Pyongyang is working on more modern warships, surpassing the capabilities of its current naval assets.
Additionally, the country continues the construction of another large vessel, a 3,000-ton ship, which is believed to be a frigate of a class similar to the Russian Project 20386 corvette, which was never completed. This new ship is also expected to feature VLS systems, representing a significant improvement over the Amnok-class corvettes, which measure 80 meters and have horizontal missile launchers.
Despite concerns over North Korea’s naval advancements, South Korean analysts do not speculate on possible Russian support for these projects. However, they observe that North Korea has been heavily investing in its navy, one of the weakest sectors of its armed forces, and continues to conceal construction details using protective screens, possibly to keep its developments secret.
Source: Defense Express | Photo: Freepik | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
