Satellite photos show North Korea building giant warship

Satellite image show North Korea building what could be its largest ever warship, spanning over 140 metres long.

The rogue Asian power of North Korea is reportedly building what could be its largest-ever warship, with chilling satellite images showing a giant vessel spanning almost 150 metres long currently under construction.

The images, taken by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs on April 6, show the ship being built at a shipyard on the nation’s west coast, about 60 kilometres from the capital Pyongyang.

The ship – which is being built despite international sanctions against North Korea – is likely a guided-missile frigate (FFG) designed to carry missiles for use against land and sea targets, analysts told CNN, who noted the pictures showed weapons systems being built.

“The FFG is approximately 140 meters (459 feet) long, making it the largest warship manufactured in North Korea,” Joseph Bermudez Jr. and Jennifer Jun at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said.

The vessel is being built at a shipyard on North Korea’s west coast. Picture: Maxar Technologies

The outlet reports the size of the ship is potentially double that of anything in leader Kim Jong-un’s existing naval fleet.

The warship was pictured in other photos released by state-run Korean Central Television last year.

Analysts claim Russia - which is reported to have received weapons and troops from North Korea to fight against Ukraine – could be helping North Korea overcome the sanctions.

The ship is approximately 140 meters long. Picture: Maxar Technologies

Carl Schuster, a former US navy captain predicted it will likely take at least a year before the ship is ready to start sea trials.

“This ship’s construction is being delayed by the lack of the superstructure, sensor and weapons systems intended for installation,” he said.

A photo of the vessel under construction was released by North Korean state media late last year. Picture: KCTV

North Korea ‘stepping up military exercises’

It comes after Kim Jong-un called on North Korea’s military to improve its fighting capabilities in a speech to battalion commanders and political instructors late last year.

“He ardently called upon all the participants to go all out for bringing about substantial and fundamental improvement in improving their capabilities for fighting an actual war,” state news agency Korean Central News Agency reported.

Kim Jong-un called on North Korea’s military to improve its fighting capabilities. Picture: KCNA

Earlier this month, NATO’s chief noted North Korea was among countries increasing military exercises, while on a visit to Japan.

“NATO and Japan share the same values and we face many of the same challenges,” NATO’s secretary-general Mark Rutte told Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatani.

“China, North Korea and Russia are stepping up their military exercises and their co-operation, undermining global stability, and that means what happens in the Euro-Atlantic matters for the Indo-Pacific and vice versa.”

“A stronger Japan-NATO co-operation is necessary in an increasingly dangerous world,” he added.

North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine

North Korea last month unveiled a nuclear-powered submarine for the first time.

According to state media, Mr Kim said “radically” boosting the navy was a key part of Pyongyang’s defensive strategy.

Kim Jong-un (C) inspecting a shipbuilding project at a major shipyard at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Picture: Kcna Via Kns/AFP

Mr Kim visited shipyards focused on building warships, the Korean Central News Agency reported, without giving details of the exact date or location of the inspection.

Mr Kim “learned about the building of a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine,” the report said, which was one of Kim’s key military goals on a laundry list of high tech weaponry unveiled at a previous party congress.

The report is likely referring to a nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles, Yonhap news agency reported, adding this was the first time the nuclear-armed North had revealed construction of a ballistic missile submarine.

Mr Kim said the country’s “sea defence capability … will be fully displayed in any necessary waters without limitation,” KCNA reported.

Mr Kim said “radically” boosting the navy was a key part of Pyongyang’s defensive strategy. Picture: Kcna Via Kns/AFP

“The development of the naval force into an elite and nuclear-armed force constitutes an important content in the strategy for the development of the national defence,” it added.

South Korean submarine expert Moon Keun-sik said the naval vessel appears to be a 6000-ton-class or 7000-ton-class one, capable of carrying around 10 missiles.

Mr Moon said the use of the term “the strategic guided missiles” meant it would carry nuclear-capable weapons, CNN reported.

“It would be absolutely threatening to us and the US,” Mr Moon warned.

According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a US-based think tank, North Korea is estimated to have between 64 and 86 submarines, one of the world’s largest fleets.

In 2023, North Korean state media reported on the launch of the country’s first “tactical nuclear attack submarine” – although the South Korean military said at the time that the vessel might not be operational.

– With AFP

Originally published as Satellite photos show North Korea building giant warship