North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has decided to significantly increase the production and use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the country's military. The move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen North Korea's military capabilities, aimed at improving the tactical use of drones both on land and under water.
Testing of new UAV models
According to Reuters, Kim Jong-un visited the Institute of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles of the Academy of Defense Sciences, where he personally observed the testing of new models of drones. During these tests, the drones demonstrated the ability to identify and destroy designated targets by flying along different routes.
After the successful tests, the North Korean leader called for an immediate increase in the production of various types of UAVs, including kamikaze drones, which will be used by tactical infantry units and special forces. Particular attention is paid to underwater attack drones, as well as strategic, reconnaissance and multi-purpose attack drones, which Kim Jong-un wants to equip the North Korean armed forces as soon as possible.
The leader of North Korea also emphasized the need to conduct additional tests of the combat use of drones to ensure their effective use in military operations. The decision is part of Pyongyang's broader strategy to increase its combat readiness and enhance its tactical warfare capabilities using modern technology.
It is worth noting that North Korea has already significantly increased its capabilities of conducting a tactical war with the use of short-range missiles and heavy artillery aimed at striking South Korea. This happened against the background of successes in the development of ballistic missiles and a longer-range nuclear program.
North Korea has about 300 military factories employing approximately 500,000 workers. As South Korean analyst Anjoon Kim points out in an article for Defense News, these companies now have new paying customers, including Russia, strengthening North Korea's weapons capabilities.
In terms of political prospects, Kim Jong-un's daughter, Kim Joo-ae, may succeed him. However, a final decision on her candidacy has not yet been made, according to information from South Korean intelligence published by Yonhap.
