New satellite images reveal that North Korea is building what might be its biggest and most advanced warship yet. CNN
Recent satellite images reveal that North Korea is building what might be its largest and most advanced warship ever. The images, taken on April 6, show the ship under construction at the Nampo shipyard, located on the country’s western coast, about 60 kilometers from the capital, Pyongyang. This new warship could be more than double the size of anything currently in North Korea's naval fleet.
Experts believe the ship is a guided-missile frigate (FFG), designed to carry missiles in vertical launch tubes for use against both land and sea targets. The ship appears to be 140 meters (459 feet) long, making it the largest warship ever made in North Korea. For comparison, U.S. Navy destroyers, such as the Arleigh Burke-class, are around 505 feet long, while the new Constellation-class frigates under construction are 496 feet.
The appearance of this warship is no surprise. North Korea has been modernizing its military, developing new weapons and testing long-range missiles capable of reaching the United States. This push for modernization continues despite strict sanctions imposed by the United Nations, which limit the country’s access to materials and technology needed to develop such advanced weaponry.
However, analysts suggest that North Korea’s closer ties with Russia, especially since the war in Ukraine began, might be helping the country bypass these sanctions. Kim Duk-ki, a retired South Korean admiral, has suggested that Russia might be providing the missile technology for the new frigate.
In late 2023, North Korean state television released images of Kim Jong Un inspecting the construction of the warship. The images revealed the ship’s design, which could include vertical launch systems and modern radar, allowing it to track and target threats more accurately than previous North Korean ships.
Despite these advancements, experts caution against making quick assumptions. Building a warship involves a complex integration of systems, such as communications, electronics, weapons, and sensors. Carl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain, explained that while many shipbuilders can manage basic hull and propulsion systems, creating a fully integrated modern warship is far more difficult.
There are also questions about North Korea’s ability to operate such a large warship. Kim Byung-kee, a South Korean lawmaker, raised concerns about the cost and maintenance of such a vessel, suggesting that operating a ship of this size would require significant resources, including a trained crew, fuel, and equipment. Despite these challenges, experts like Kim Duk-ki believe that if North Korea equips the ship with advanced weaponry like hypersonic missiles, it could significantly alter regional security dynamics.
Satellite images suggest that the warship might still be over a year away from sea trials, with construction slowed by the lack of the necessary superstructure, sensor, and weapons systems. North Korea’s aging navy, which includes around 400 patrol combatants and 70 submarines, has many outdated ships. The North’s two main surface warships, the Najin-class frigates, were built in the 1970s and are considered obsolete.
However, Kim Jong Un is committed to modernizing his naval forces. He is overseeing the construction of a new naval base to accommodate larger warships and submarines, which are critical to his goal of strengthening North Korea’s military capabilities. In addition to the new frigate under construction, North Korea is also building a nuclear-powered submarine and a second warship at different shipyards.
This ongoing modernization of North Korea’s navy highlights the country’s determination to improve its military power, despite facing numerous challenges.
