North Korea unveils largest warship amid tightening sanctions
Satellite images have revealed the construction of North Korea's largest military vessel. This ship may be over twice the size of those currently possessed by Pyongyang. What more is known about this enigmatic frigate?
What do you need to know?
- Where and when were the photos taken? Satellite images were captured on 6 April by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs, an American technology company specialising in Earth observation from space. The photographs show the ship's construction at the Nampo shipyard, 37 miles from North Korea's capital, Pyongyang.
- What are the characteristics of the new ship? The frigate is approximately 459 feet long and equipped with vertical missile launchers, making it the largest warship in North Korea.
- Why is the ship's construction significant? The construction is part of Kim Jong Un's efforts to modernise the armed forces, despite international sanctions.
What are the details of the ship's construction?
Satellite images from 6 April indicate that the construction of North Korea's largest warship is underway at the Nampo shipyard. Analysts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Joseph Bermudez Jr. and Jennifer Jun, note that the frigate is approximately 459 feet long, making it the largest ship in the country's history.
What technologies were used on the new frigate?
The new frigate is equipped with vertical missile launchers, allowing it to engage both land and sea targets. Experts highlight that the vessel features a modern radar system, enabling faster and more accurate target tracking. This represents a significant advancement in the modernisation of the North Korean fleet.
What are Kim Jong Un's goals?
The construction of the ship is not unexpected. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ambitious plans to strengthen and modernise his armed forces, despite Western sanctions imposed on Pyongyang since 2006 due to the country's nuclear programme.
The North Korean leader is strengthening ties with Russia, aiding his military ambitions. Korea has additionally dispatched its soldiers to the region of conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, further demonstrating cooperation between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin.
The rapprochement between Russia and Korea since the beginning of the war in Ukraine significantly aids in circumventing restrictions. Kim Duk-ki, a retired South Korean admiral, believes that the technology necessary to construct the missile systems of the new frigate may be supplied by Moscow.
