North Korea is building the largest warship in its history amid military buildup and Russian support

North Korea is building the largest warship in its history amid military buildup and Russian support
North Korea is building the largest warship in its history amid military buildup and Russian support (Freepik)

Recent satellite images have revealed that North Korea is building what could be the largest and most advanced warship in its history.

The vessel, currently being assembled at the Nampo shipyard, may be about 140 meters long, surpassing in size all ships currently in the North Korean fleet.

Experts believe it to be a guided missile frigate, capable of carrying modern weapons such as missiles in vertical launch tubes and state-of-the-art radar systems.

Although this suggests technological advances, analysts recommend caution when assessing the actual power of the ship, since building warships involves complex challenges in integrating communication systems, weapons, and sensors. There are still doubts as to whether the country has the infrastructure, resources, and technical staff necessary to effectively operate and maintain a large-scale vessel. A South Korean lawmaker pointed out that the operational and support costs for such a ship are significant, raising questions about the project’s feasibility.

The initiative is part of Kim Jong Un’s ongoing effort to modernize his armed forces, even under heavy international sanctions. Observers suggest that Russian support, strengthened after the war in Ukraine, may be helping North Korea circumvent these restrictions.

If the new frigate is equipped with hypersonic missiles, as the country claims to have tested, it could represent a significant strategic shift for regional security.

North Korea’s navy has hundreds of ships, but most are outdated and limited to coastal operations. Currently, its main frigates are obsolete models from the 1970s. However, in addition to the frigate in Nampo, the regime is also reportedly building a nuclear submarine in Sinpo and another large warship in Chongjin. These projects show a clear attempt to expand and modernize the country’s naval fleet, despite major technical and economic challenges.

Source: CNN | Photo: Freepik | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

Back to top