North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for the large-scale production of suicide attack drones following a test demonstration at the country’s Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, state-run media reported on Friday.
During his visit on Thursday, Kim oversaw performance tests of the drones, which are designed to carry out precision strikes on enemy targets on land and sea. Images released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) showed a drone destroying a car, believed to simulate a military target.
Kim emphasized the importance of swiftly establishing mass production lines for the drones, often referred to as “kamikaze drones” or “loitering munitions,” citing their cost-effectiveness and adaptability in modern warfare.
North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation
The development comes amid growing military ties between North Korea and Russia. Earlier this week, Pyongyang ratified a defense pact with Moscow, committing to mutual military support. Reports indicate that North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops to Russia and supplied millions of artillery shells and rockets to support its war in Ukraine.
In return, analysts suggest that Russia may be offering advanced missile and nuclear technology to North Korea, evidenced by the recent test of Pyongyang’s Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, which South Korean officials believe was developed with Russian assistance.
Regional Concerns
Kim’s announcement has heightened regional tensions, particularly in South Korea and Japan, where officials are closely monitoring the implications of North Korea’s drone advancements and its expanding military collaboration with Russia.
The growing use of drones in global conflicts, including in Ukraine, has underscored their significance as a key component of modern military strategies, with countries like the U.S. and Russia heavily investing in similar technologies.
This development signals North Korea’s ambition to solidify its position in the global arms race while strengthening its military alliances amid escalating geopolitical conflicts.
