North Korea's new frigate: Russia's shadow in shipbuilding
The Naval News portal analyzed photos showing progress on a new ship being built in North Korea. It was noted that this design closely resembles one of the Russian frigates. There are suggestions that North Korea is constructing the ship based on technology transferred by Russia as compensation for aid in the war in Ukraine.
Materials showcasing the new warship were published by North Korean propagandists, 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
According to Naval News, the construction is most likely to be a missile frigate and, simultaneously, the largest ship built in North Korea. It is estimated to be over 328 feet in length and has a displacement of about 3,300 tons.
Attention is drawn to the fact that the missile frigate under construction is very similar to the Russian, ultimately unfinished Project 20386 ship. As such, it may be the first North Korean ship equipped with vertical missile launchers for either anti-aircraft or cruise missiles (or possibly both). Currently, the most advanced air defence systems mounted on North Korean ships are launchers from Igla anti-aircraft missile systems.
Putin's most loyal ally
The Ukrainian portal Defence Express does not rule out that Russia may have provided North Korea with the technology necessary to build this type of frigate and even offered assistance with the work.
Pyongyang is Moscow's most loyal ally, having armed Putin's army with resources used during the war in Ukraine for months. This primarily involves a vast quantity of artillery ammunition, 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 6.7-inch calibre guns began arriving in Russia. Additionally, several thousand North Korean soldiers were sent to the Kursk region, which Ukrainians attacked.
It is no secret that Moscow reciprocates its ally both economically and militarily. Transfers to North Korea include Russian air defence systems, satellite and space technologies, and even the technology for building miniaturized nuclear warheads. Expanding the list to include assistance in building a warship would not be surprising.
