North Korea has officially started construction on the country’s third Choe Hyon-class destroyer, according to state media on Tuesday, claiming it will be finished by the Oct. 10 party foundation holiday in 2026.

The ship will be one of two destroyers Pyongyang plans to complete next year, in line with leader Kim Jong Un’s vow to build larger ships every year as part of an effort to transform the country’s long-neglected navy from a coastal fleet into a blue water force.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reportedthat a ceremony to kick off construction took place at the Nampho