North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled new strategic assets for the Air Force to mark its 80th anniversary. Analysts noted on November 30 that this clearly demonstrates North Korea’s efforts to bolster its air and naval capabilities, long considered weak points in its military.
The showcase included advanced reconnaissance drones, attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and airborne early warning and control aircraft, signaling a significant boost to North Korea’s air power.
The state-run Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, attended the Air Force anniversary event on November 28 at Wonsan’s Kalma Airport in Kangwon Province.
Photos released by the newspaper revealed an array of military hardware at the event, including attack and reconnaissance drones from the Saetbyol series and North Korea’s first early warning and control aircraft, which was initially revealed in March.
Since 2023, North Korea has prioritized enhancing its Air Force’s drone capabilities, unveiling new reconnaissance and attack drones like the Saetbyol-4 and Saetbyol-9. The latter, a medium to large attack drone, bears a striking resemblance to the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper, nicknamed the Sky Assassin.
In September, Pyongyang also disclosed its development of multiple small reconnaissance and kamikaze drones. Experts believe this focus on new tactical strategies, likely influenced by modern warfare experiences such as the Ukraine conflict, has been significantly aided by Russian military assistance.
The airborne early warning and control aircraft, seen again after its March debut, appears to be a modified Russian Ilyushin Il-76, previously used by Air Koryo for cargo. Often called a flying command post, this advanced platform features high-performance radar for aerial detection and analysis of key targets, enabling command and control of military operations. However, it lacks direct combat capabilities.
The aircraft’s distinctive feature is its external radar, housed in a circular radome. This radome, a portmanteau of radar and dome, serves as a protective cover for the radar antenna, shielding it from environmental factors.
While North Korea claims operational deployment of these new drones and early warning aircraft, their actual surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities remain unverified. Experts suggest that effective monitoring of South Korea would require multiple units of these systems, raising questions about North Korea’s current operational capacity.
In a first, North Korea showcased its version of the Taurus missile, alongside nuclear-capable cruise missiles and the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile.
The event also confirmed the mounting of a Taurus-like long-range air-to-ground missile on a fighter jet. This marks the first public display of North Korea’s equivalent to the German-made KEPD 350 Taurus, a system also used by South Korea.
The Taurus missile is known for its 500-kilometer (about 311 miles) range and ability to penetrate 8-10 meters (about 26 to 33 feet) underground. It remains unclear whether North Korea developed this independently or received assistance from Russia or China.
During his speech, Kim hinted at new strategic military assets for the Air Force, possibly referring to this North Korean Taurus variant.
Kim emphasized the Air Force’s crucial role in nuclear deterrence, stating that the party and nation have high expectations for the Air Force. He ordered them to resolutely repel and suppress enemy espionage and military provocations threatening our airspace sovereignty.
Analysis of the unveiled weapons and Kim’s speech suggests North Korea’s Air Force is set to expand its operations against South Korea, leveraging advanced surveillance and reconnaissance assets to monitor military movements and key targets more effectively.
This indicates a strategy of potential preemptive strikes using strategic missiles if South Korean military actions are detected. The Air Force appears poised to support ground operations against South Korea from the rear.
Experts note that North Korea’s significant investment in Air Force modernization, following recent naval upgrades, suggests a continued focus on minimizing defense vulnerabilities in the coming year.
Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies predicts that the upcoming 9th Workers’ Party Congress in early next year will likely include new decisions on conventional military modernization, possibly involving the acquisition of new fighter jets from Russia.