North Korea builds largest warship with Russian support
The Naval News portal has analysed photos showing progress on a new warship under construction in North Korea. It has been noted that this design strongly resembles one of the Russian frigates. There are suggestions that North Korea is building the ship based on technologies provided by Russia as compensation for assistance in the war in Ukraine.
Materials showcasing the new warship were published by propagandists of the North Korean regime, who posted a video online from Kim Jong Un's visit to the Nampo shipyard, which took place just before the end of 2024.
The largest North Korean ship
As Naval News points out, the construction will most likely be a missile frigate and at the same time the largest ship built in North Korea. It is estimated that it may be over 100 metres long and have a displacement approaching approximately 3,050 tonnes.
Attention is drawn to the fact that the emerging missile frigate is very similar to the Russian, ultimately unfinished project 20386 ship. Consequently, it may be the first North Korean ship equipped with vertical launchers for anti-aircraft or cruise missiles (or both). Currently, the most threatening air defence system mounted on North Korean ships are launchers from the Igla anti-aircraft missile sets.
Putin's most loyal ally
The Ukrainian portal Defence Express does not rule out that Russia could have provided North Korea with the necessary technologies to build this type of frigate, and even offered assistance in the work.
Pyongyang is Moscow's most loyal ally, having armed Putin's army for months with resources used during the war in Ukraine. This primarily concerns huge quantities of artillery ammunition, but also KN-23 ballistic missiles (also known as Hwasong-11Ga), and even heavy military equipment. By the end of 2024, North Korean rocket launchers and M1989 "Koksan" artillery using a 170 mm calibre gun began to reach Russia. Furthermore, several thousand North Korean soldiers were sent to the Kursk region attacked by Ukrainians.
It is no secret that Moscow rewards its ally, both economically and militarily. Transfers to North Korea include Russian air defence systems, satellite and space technologies, and even technology enabling the construction of miniature nuclear warheads. Extending the list to include assistance in building a warship would not be surprising.
