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North Korea is building the second of what it hopes to be a fleet of fearsome naval guided-missile destroyers - even though the first flagship vessel apparently can't move under its own steam.

believes the 'Choe Hyon-class' ships, potentially capable of firing nuclear missiles, would give the totalitarian state extra leverage against its neighbours, as well as the US.

The first 5,000-tonne vessel was unveiled last month to much fanfare in a broadcast on state media, with Kim Jong Un saying the warship would be in service in 2026.

named after a general who fought with the nation's founder, as a "convincing war deterrent" and that "if the US continues to renew its record in the protests of military power, we will have no choice but to renew it in the exercise of strategic deterrence."

However, military analysists noted that during the lavish launch the warship never actually moves and say satellite images showed it couldn't sail under its own power and had to be towed

Experts now believe the boat does not have a "functioning propulsion system" as yet.

Despite this, new photos taken from orbit has shown that a second vessel is already under construction at the Hambuk Shipyard in Chongjin.

Like it's sister, the 144-metre long ship appears to have vertical launch missile systems (VLS) likely equipped with a combination of anti-air, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-ballistic missile capabilities as well as land attack cruise and tactical ballistic missiles, whch could carry nuclear warheads.

It is thought North Korea wants to build four Choe Hyon-class battleships, stationing two each in the East Sea (Tonghae) and West Sea (Sohae) Fleets, bolstering its navy alongside potentially nuclear-powered submarines. The move would expand North Korea's missile threat significantly and further complicate the missile defense in the region.

The new vessel's name is unknown but will likely be named after other anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months as the North Korean leader continues to accelerate the development of his nuclear and missile programme and supply weapons and troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Jong Un supervised tests of short-range ballistic missile systems, which simulated nuclear counterstrikes against US and South Korean forces.