North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the “mass production” of attack drones, marking a significant expansion of the country’s unmanned military capabilities. The move, reported by state media, comes as concerns grow over North Korea’s increasing military collaboration with Russia, which has been a point of tension in the region.
In August, North Korea first revealed its attack drone technology, which experts believe may be a product of its growing alliance with Moscow. This partnership includes a defense pact and reports of North Korean troops deployed to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, raising alarms about the potential transfer of sensitive Russian military technology to Pyongyang.
On Monday, Kim oversaw a series of drone tests conducted by the North’s Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The drones are designed to target both land and sea objectives, with explosive payloads that can be deployed in suicide attacks. KCNA reported that the drones successfully hit predetermined targets during the tests.
Kim emphasized the need for rapid mass production of the drones, highlighting their low production costs and versatile use as a “component of striking power.” He said the development of unmanned systems had become a key focus for North Korea, integrating them into the country’s broader military strategy.
Experts have pointed out that the drones closely resemble models like the Israeli-made “HAROP,” the Russian-made “Lancet-3,” and the Israeli “HERO 30,” suggesting North Korea may have acquired this technology from Russia. Russia, in turn, is believed to have received these technologies from Iran, possibly through hacking or theft from Israel.
This move comes as North Korea has continued to engage in provocative actions, including launching drones across the border into South Korea in 2022. While the drones were too small for South Korea’s military to intercept, the incident underscored the growing threat posed by North Korea’s unmanned systems. In recent months, Pyongyang has also been sending balloons carrying trash to the South, claiming it as retaliation for anti-regime leaflets sent across the border.
Analysts speculate that North Korea could use its growing drone capabilities in future operations against South Korea. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, suggested that North Korea might be signaling its intent to use drones for leaflet drops, as well as military attacks, similar to tactics observed in Ukraine.
The growing drone threat has prompted South Korea to strengthen its defenses, including the establishment of a drone operation command. Meanwhile, North Korea has continued to defy UN sanctions with ballistic missile tests and has escalated tensions with the South, including blowing up infrastructure linking the two countries.
The increased focus on drones and military hardware marks a new phase in North Korea’s strategic development, raising concerns for regional stability and security.