(Pyongyang) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the mass production of kamikaze drones, signaling a significant step in the country’s military capabilities. This announcement follows a recent exercise where Kim observed the live-fire testing of these drones, which are designed to carry out one-way strikes on land and sea targets.
North Korea has been increasing its military cooperation with Russia, and this development comes at a time when Russia is facing an ongoing conflict in Ukraine. North Korean state media released images and video footage showing Kim at the firing range, watching drones strike a BMW sedan and a decommissioned T-34 tank. The location of the tests was likely near Pyongyang International Airport.
Kim emphasized the importance of quickly establishing a mass-production system for these drones. He highlighted their potential to change military operations due to their low production costs and simplicity. The drones that Kim observed resemble two models previously identified in August, with some comparisons made to Israeli-made Harop and Hero-400 loitering munitions. Another type of drone, which appears similar to the Russian Lancet family, was also tested.
The launch systems for the drones revealed in the recent imagery include a conventional rail-type launcher for the Harop-like drones and a portable launcher for the Hero-400-like drones. These drones are reportedly designed for precision strikes on designated targets, using pre-set tactical routes. It remains unclear if these drones utilize rudimentary artificial intelligence for target detection.
Since the drones first appeared earlier this year, North Korea and Russia’s military cooperation has intensified. North Korea has supplied a variety of weapons to Russia, including short-range ballistic missiles, anti-tank missiles, and artillery shells. Some reports suggest that North Korea has delivered over eight million shells to Russia.
In addition to weapons, it is believed that Russia has provided North Korea with technical assistance, particularly in the field of drone manufacturing. There are also reports that North Korean workers have been sent to Russia to help produce kamikaze drones in Russian factories. These efforts are likely part of a broader agreement that includes technical exchanges and experience-sharing.
Recent developments suggest that North Korea is building a significant drone-manufacturing base, with a large-scale UAV factory reportedly being constructed near Panghyon Airbase. Furthermore, there is evidence of North Korean troops receiving training in Russia to operate drones, particularly kamikaze UAVs, which could be deployed in the Ukraine conflict or brought back to North Korea for future use.
The potential use of kamikaze drones in conflicts beyond Ukraine is significant. Such drones could be especially valuable to North Korea in a potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula. The drones’ ability to target fixed installations across South Korea, particularly near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), would provide North Korea with a tactical advantage in the early phases of any major conflict.