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North Korea, largest warship in its history under construction

Satellite images reveal a 140-metre frigate at an advanced stage at the Nampo shipyard. Analysts: possible cooperation with Russia to circumvent sanctions

North Korea is building its largest warship ever. This was revealed by new satellite images obtained and analysed by CNN, which show a missile frigate in an advanced stage of assembly at the Nampo shipyard, about 60 kilometres from the capital Pyongyang.

According to experts, the vessel measures about 140 metres in length, more than twice as long as the units currently operating in the North Korean fleet. The project is part of a broader modernisation process of the armed forces desired by leader Kim Jong-un, who in recent years has accelerated the development of new weapon systems despite international sanctions.

The ship would be designed to house technologies hitherto unseen in the North Korean navy, such as vertical missile launchers and active electronically scanned radar. However, analysts urge caution: the construction of the hull is only an initial phase, while the integration of electronic, communication and propulsion systems is still far from complete.

‘It will take at least another year before the ship is ready for sea trials,’ explained Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain. ‘Currently, the superstructure and several essential components are still missing.’ There are also doubts on the logistical and operational side: a single large ship requires considerable resources and cannot operate autonomously.

According to some observers, the strengthened ties with Russia following the war in Ukraine may have provided Pyongyang with tools to circumvent some of the restrictions imposed by the UN.

The frigate appeared as early as late 2023 in a video broadcast on North Korean state television, during a plenary session of the Workers’ Party. The images showed Kim Jong-un personally inspecting the work, confirming the strategic importance attached to this new naval platform.

The North Korean naval expansion programme also includes new shipyards at Sinpo and Chongjin, where a nuclear-powered submarine and another frigate or destroyer would be under construction.

Although the South Korean navy has hundreds of operational units, many are obsolete coastal vessels. Instead, the new course wanted by Kim Jong-un aims to raise the technological and offensive profile of the North Korean fleet.

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