Kim Jong-un unveils North Korea’s LARGEST warship ever with Russian-style destroyer to carry cruise missile system

TYRANT Kim Jong-un has unveiled North Korea's largest naval destroyer that could house a vertical launchpad capable of firing guided cruise missiles.

The mighty vessel - said to be similar to Russia's famed Admiral Grigorovich frigate - is expected to substantially boost North Korea's naval capabilities.

Pictures released by the state media - known to be Kim's propaganda machine - show the mighty destroyer being built at a naval facility.

Analysts say, based on the images of the unfinished vessel, that the destroyer could be as large as 330ft from bow to stern and have a beam approximately 50ft wide.

At over 3,600 tonnes, the destroyer is set to become the largest warship in North Korea's naval arsenal, surpassing the current largest vessel, a 1,360-tonne frigate.

A closeup picture of the bow shows an empty space that is expected to house various vertical launch missile systems.

These launchers will be capable of firing guided cruise missiles, alongside a mounted naval gun that is expected to be placed at the front.

Military experts believe the warship is currently being built at the Nampho Dockyard, located on the west coast of the country.

Kim Jong-un was seen at the shipbuilding facility inspecting the construction of the vessel.

It could take 10 years for the North Korean military to finish building the warship, according to analysts.

Joseph Dempsey, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Seoul-based NK News: "[The naval warship is] “likely a destroyer and the largest warship ever constructed in the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea].

“Weapons-wise, the large aperture immediately forward of the bridge would imply [plans to install a] possible vertical launching system [for missiles]."

Analysts noted that the new North Korean ship looked similar to the Russian Admiral Grigorovich-class, one of the most capable warships in Putin's arsenal.

Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told South Korean media: "It could be an attempt by North Korea to significantly strengthen its conventional power, including its inferior naval power as well as nuclear and missile capabilities, through cooperation with Russia."

Kim is said to have toured a Russian naval base and ships during a trip to the Russian far-east port of Vladivostok in September 2023.

Putin and Kim have been cosying up on the world stage - and insiders believe if their ties deepen, Pyongyang could be prepared to aid Vlad more.

Kim has already sent his Storm Corps, the country's equivalent of special forces, to fight for Vlad.

The  11,000-strong are fighting Ukrainian soldiers as the  Russian tyrant aims to retake Kursk, seized by Ukraine in August.

It is feared both the despotic rulers may strengthen their cooperation even more and gain military advantages in the coming days.

Meanwhile, dictator Kim also unveiled his latest war tank which he says is the “world’s most powerful”.

The North Korean leader allegedly drove the armoured vehicle as he joined his troops during drills designed as a show of strength in the face of US/South Korean military exercises.