Satellite imagery has revealed the first confirmed sighting of North Korea’s strategic unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Saetbyeol-4 and Saetbyeol-9, deployed side by side at Banghyeon Air Force Base in North Pyongan Province. The simultaneous identification of these long-range reconnaissance and attack drones at a single facility suggests that Pyongyang is ramping up efforts to systematically operate its large-scale UAV forces.
On Tuesday, Beyond Parallel, a North Korea-focused project of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), reported that recent satellite imagery analysis captured what appear to be these two drone models near the runway at Banghyeon Air Force Base. The report indicates that this installation is likely a critical hub for North Korea’s strategic UAV operations.
The Saetbyeol-4 is North Korea’s high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) reconnaissance drone, bearing a striking resemblance to the U.S. Air Force’s RQ-4 Global Hawk. With its elongated fuselage and long, straight wings, this large aircraft is designed for extended high-altitude flights to conduct wide-area surveillance missions. Analysts believe Pyongyang aims to use this platform to achieve long-range reconnaissance capabilities over the Korean Peninsula, surrounding waters, and beyond.
In contrast, the Saetbyeol-9 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) attack drone, similar in appearance to the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper. This platform is capable of extended loitering at lower altitudes, combining reconnaissance with precision strike capabilities. Defense experts speculate that it could potentially be armed with air-to-ground guided munitions or small bombs in the future. The Saetbyeol-9’s development is being closely monitored for its potential to evolve into a formidable unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) system.
The report emphasizes that this is the first confirmed instance of both drone models being spotted at the same facility, suggesting that North Korea may be planning to operate its reconnaissance and attack drones as complementary systems.
Satellite imagery also revealed expansion of large hangars and related infrastructure at Banghyeon Air Force Base. This development indicates that North Korea may be moving beyond the testing phase and preparing for larger-scale UAV operations in the near future.
CSIS underscores that UAV development has become a cornerstone of North Korea’s military modernization efforts. The think tank predicts that Pyongyang’s ability to field operational large-scale strategic UAVs will be a critical factor in future assessments of North Korea’s military capabilities.