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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un introduced the country's largest warship, which has a vertical launch platform capable of firing guided cruise missiles.
The massive ship, resembling Russia's famous Admiral Grigorovich frigate, will significantly enhance North Korea's naval power.
Photos released by state media (which is known to be Kim's propaganda tool) show the powerful destroyer being constructed at a naval base.
Analysts suggest that based on images of the still-unfinished ship, the destroyer could be 100 meters long and approximately 15 meters wide from bow to stern.
The 3,600-ton destroyer will replace the current largest ship, the 1,360-ton frigate, making it the largest warship in the North Korean navy.
A close-up photo of the ship's bow shows an empty space expected to house various vertical launch systems. These launchers could fire guided cruise missiles, in addition to a naval gun planned to be positioned at the front.
Military experts believe the warship is being built at the Nampho Shipyard on the country's west coast. Images of Kim Jong-un inspecting the ship at the shipyard have also been shared.
According to analysts, the completion of the ship's construction could take up to 10 years. Joseph Dempsey from the International Institute for Strategic Studies stated in an interview with Seoul-based NK News, "This ship is likely a destroyer and the largest warship ever built in North Korea."
Analysts noted that the new North Korean ship resembles the Russian Admiral Grigorovich class, one of Putin's most capable warships. It is known that Kim inspected a Russian naval base and ships during his visit to Russia's Vladivostok port in September 2023.
It is believed that if Putin and Kim continue to strengthen their relationship on the world stage, Pyongyang could provide more assistance to Russia. Kim has already sent the Storm Brigade, a special forces unit, to fight for Putin.
Meanwhile, Kim also introduced a new battle tank, which he described as "the world's most powerful." It was claimed that the North Korean leader personally operated the armored vehicle during exercises held as a show of force against U.S./South Korean military drills.
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