North Korea’s latest naval pride suffered a major setback Wednesday during its launch ceremony, sparking the rare public fury of leader Kim Jong Un. The new 5,000-ton warship was severely damaged after a malfunction caused the stern to slide prematurely into the water—crushing part of the hull and leaving the bow stuck on the shipway.

A Rare Admission of Failure

State media, through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), called the mishap a blow to the nation’s prestige. Kim Jong Un described the failure as “a criminal act” rooted in “absolute carelessness” and “irresponsibility” by several key state institutions, including the Munitions Industry Department, Kim Chaek University of Technology, and the central ship design bureau.

South Korea’s military confirmed the damaged vessel is lying on its side in the water, unable to move, according to Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-joon.

Catastrophic Damage

Naval experts warn the damage could be devastating. Professor Sal Mercogliano from Campbell University explained that if the ship’s hull doesn’t move as one, the stresses could tear it apart. Carl Schuster, a naval analyst in Hawaii, agreed, saying the launch likely warped the hull, caused cracks, and may have snapped the keel—the ship’s backbone.

A Blow to North Korea’s Naval Ambitions

This accident is a major blow to what many analysts see as North Korea’s most ambitious naval modernization effort in decades. The vessel was supposed to be the second new major surface warship unveiled recently—following the launch of the Choe Hyon destroyer in April, which Kim hailed as a “new generation” ship aimed at strengthening naval defenses amid rising tensions with the U.S. and South Korea.

Though details about these new ships remain scarce, satellite images suggest the Choe Hyon has design elements similar to Russian naval vessels. The damaged ship is thought to share many of the same features.

Pressure to Repair Fast—But Challenges Loom

Kim Jong Un demanded the ship be fully restored before the ruling Workers’ Party’s plenary session scheduled for late June, calling the repair effort a matter of “national honor” and political accountability.

However, experts are skeptical. Retired South Korean Admiral Kim Duk-ki pointed out that North Korea likely lacks the essential infrastructure—like a dry dock—to properly repair a ship of this size. Without a dry dock, which allows ships to be drained for maintenance, repairs could take more than four to five months.

South Korean defense analyst Yu Yong-weon added that the rushed launch likely caused the failure and warned that hasty repairs might lead to even more problems in the future.

Investigation and Fallout

An accident investigation team has been formed, and KCNA reports that senior officials may face punishment at an upcoming Party Central Committee meeting.

North Korea’s navy is generally considered the least developed branch of its military, and the rapid push to build new destroyers has surprised outside observers. Questions remain about how much of the new ships’ technology is actually operational versus symbolic posturing.

Professor Mercogliano noted that state media has yet to show any images of the new warships underway, leaving doubts about whether they even have functioning engines.

What’s Next?

This developing story highlights the challenges facing North Korea’s naval ambitions and the internal pressure on its leadership to deliver military progress despite setbacks. We will update as new information emerges.

Source: CNN – Kim Jong Un’s fury after watching North Korea’s new navy destroyer crippled in botched launch

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Dubai, UAE – A dramatic incident unfolded Tuesday when an F/A-18 fighter jet landing on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea went overboard, causing both pilots to eject, according to a defense official who spoke with The Associated Press.

This mishap adds to a string of incidents during the Truman’s deployment, which has been crucial to the United States’ airstrike campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front, U.S. President Donald Trump and Oman’s foreign minister both announced that a ceasefire had been agreed upon with the Houthis, which would see them cease targeting ships in the Red Sea corridor. However, the Houthis have not publicly acknowledged this agreement.

Landing Incident: What Went Wrong?

The fighter jet, a F/A-18 Super Hornet, was landing on the Truman after completing a mission. According to the official, the arrestment system, which helps secure planes landing on aircraft carriers by catching them with steel cables, failed during the landing. The cause of the failure remains under investigation.

The two pilots, who ejected from the aircraft just before it went overboard, were rescued by a helicopter and were reported to have sustained only minor injuries. Thankfully, no one was hurt on the flight deck.

This is not the first time the Navy has lost an F/A-18 on the Truman. In April, another F/A-18 slipped off the Truman’s hangar deck and fell into the Red Sea. Earlier, in December, the USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down an F/A-18 fighter jet. Fortunately, the pilots involved in all these incidents survived.

A Series of Setbacks for the USS Harry S. Truman

The USS Harry S. Truman, based out of Norfolk, Virginia, has faced a series of mishaps throughout its deployment, which has been extended multiple times due to the ongoing conflict with the Houthis. The carrier has been central to U.S. operations against the rebels in Yemen.

Earlier this year, the Truman also collided with a merchant vessel near Egypt’s Port Said, adding to the list of troubles during its extended deployment. To support operations, the Truman was recently joined by the USS Carl Vinson, which is currently operating in the Arabian Sea.

Houthi Attacks on Shipping in the Red Sea

Meanwhile, the Houthis have continued their campaign of missile and drone attacks against both military and commercial vessels in the region. This is part of their broader strategy to disrupt the global shipping lanes and end Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

From November 2023 to January 2025, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. These attacks have had a significant impact on global trade, with the Red Sea corridor typically handling $1 trillion in goods annually.

After a temporary ceasefire, the Houthis resumed their attacks following a U.S. military offensive against them in mid-March. The volatile situation in the region continues to pose risks to international trade and military operations.

As the investigation into the latest mishap continues, the U.S. Navy and its allies are dealing with ongoing risks in this crucial region.

Source: AP News – Fighter jet landing on USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier goes overboard, forcing pilots to eject

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Newly released photos highlight the damage sustained by the USS Harry S. Truman, a US Navy aircraft carrier, after a collision with a merchant vessel last week.

Collision Near Suez Canal

The accident occurred near the entrance to the Suez Canal, where the Truman collided with the Besiktas-M, a Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier measuring 617 feet (188 meters) in length. The impact took place in the busy waters off Egypt’s Port Said, a key transit area for ships navigating the canal.

While both vessels sustained damage, no injuries were reported.

Extent of Damage to USS Truman

Photos released by the Navy on Saturday reveal damage to the exterior starboard quarter of the 1,100-foot-long, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The affected areas include:

• The exterior walls of two storage rooms
• A maintenance space
• A line-handling area
• The fantail
• A platform above one of the storage spaces

Despite the damage, the Navy confirmed that the Truman’s combat capability remains intact, and the ship has continued flight operations since the accident last Wednesday night.

Repairs Underway in Greece

Following the collision, the USS Truman docked at a US naval facility in Souda Bay, Greece, for repairs. A team of structural engineers and naval architects is currently assessing the damage and planning repairs, though no timeline has been provided.

Navigational Challenges in the Suez Region

Former US Navy captain Carl Schuster, now an instructor at Hawaii Pacific University, explained the risks of operating in the congested Suez Canal region.

“There is not a lot of room for maneuvering in a restricted seaway, and both ships require about one nautical mile to stop,” Schuster said. Even minor navigation errors, misinterpretations of another ship’s movements, or delayed decisions can quickly create dangerous situations with limited escape options, he added.

Truman’s Recent Combat Operations

Before the accident, the Truman had completed a two-month deployment in the Central Command region, conducting:

• Strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen
• Airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia

The aircraft carrier had docked in Souda Bay for a working port visit before the collision.

Carrier Strike Group Remains Operational

Despite the setback, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the Truman’s carrier strike group—which includes a guided-missile cruiser and three destroyers—emphasized that the fleet remains active and mission-ready.

“Our mission has not changed, and we remain committed to responding to any challenge in this dynamic and global security environment,” Bailey said.

The USS Truman’s ongoing operations highlight its critical role in regional security and global naval strategy, even as repairs continue.

Source

The post New Photos Show Damage to USS Truman After Ship Collision appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel, the Besiktas-M, near Port Said, Egypt, on Wednesday night, the Navy confirmed Thursday.

Collision Details

• Both ships were moving at the time of impact.
• There were no injuries reported among the crew members of either vessel.
• The USS Truman sustained no flooding or damage to its propulsion systems.

A defense official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that no crew members aboard the Besiktas-M were harmed.

USS Truman’s Deployment

• The aircraft carrier is based in Norfolk, Virginia.
• It was deployed in September to the Mediterranean and Middle East.
• Prior to the incident, it had just completed a port call in Souda Bay, Greece.

The U.S. Navy has not yet released details on the cause of the collision or whether an investigation will be conducted.

Source

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