Kim Jong-un also emphasizes “AI as a top priority”… Unveils reconnaissance assets resembling an airborne command and control aircraft.

Shape with Radome on Russian Transport Aircraft
Observed Test of New AI Suicide Drones on Ground Targets, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of North Korea’s State Affairs Commission, is giving instructions inside an aircraft that appears to be North Korea’s first publicly revealed airborne early warning and control system. Photo=Yonhap News,
, “North Korea has unveiled for the first time a reconnaissance asset that resembles the airborne early warning and control system ‘Peace Eye’ operated by the South Korean Air Force.”,
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, ‘According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 27th, Kim Jong-un guided the defense science research projects of the UAV Technology Association and Detection Electronic Warfare Research Group from the 25th to the 26th.’,
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, ‘The news agency reported, “The test demonstrated the innovative performance of a new unmanned strategic reconnaissance aircraft with detection capabilities to track and monitor various strategic targets and enemy activities on land and at sea,” and “The strike capabilities of suicide drones for performing various tactical attack missions were fully showcased.”‘,
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, ‘Photos released by North Korean media show Kim boarding an airborne command and giving various instructions to accompanying military officials inside. A map of the Korean Peninsula is displayed on the airborne command screen.’,
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, ‘The airborne command boarded by Kim is modeled on the Russian transport aircraft Ilyushin (Il)-76 with a radome, a cover for radar antennas. This type of airborne command is also reportedly used by China and India.’,
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, ‘Kim also observed scenes where suicide drones attacked ground objects such as tanks and witnessed the flight of a reconnaissance drone resembling the U.S. Global Hawk (RQ-4).’,
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, “In July 2023, North Korea showcased a strategic reconnaissance drone similar to the Global Hawk at an arms equipment exhibition, and during the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement (Victory Day) parade the same month, the flight scene of this reconnaissance drone, referred to as ‘Star-4’, was revealed.”,
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, “The reconnaissance drone observed by Kim this time has narrower and longer wings compared to the one revealed in 2023. NK Pro, a premium service of NK News, reported in February that satellite images from ‘Planet Labs’ showed the wingspan of North Korea’s drone mimicking the Global Hawk had increased to 40m, larger than the previous aircraft’s wingspan (35m).”,
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, ‘Kim emphasized that “in the modernization of military power, the fields of unmanned equipment and artificial intelligence (AI) technology should be prioritized for development.” The Korean Central News Agency reported, “(Kim) reiterated scientific and practical directions and measures to continuously accelerate transformative changes in the development and production of unmanned equipment and the enhancement of operational capabilities.”‘,
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, ‘Kim also acquired information about the performance and future plans of the new reconnaissance and information-gathering means and electronic jamming attack systems developed by the Detection Electronic Warfare Research Group. He stated, “Our special means equipped with modern technology will play a significant role in monitoring potential threats and collecting critical information,” and “will demonstrate sufficient power in neutralizing the various combat systems of the enemy.”‘,
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, ‘The news agency reported that Kim expressed great satisfaction with the start of development and production of the new electronic jamming attack weapon system.’,
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, ‘North Korea is heavily focused on launching reconnaissance satellites and developing unmanned reconnaissance drones to compensate for its weaker surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities compared to U.S.-South Korean assets. It is also showcasing its jamming attack systems by continuing to disrupt GPS in the West Sea and around the Military Demarcation Line. Kim’s emphasis on drone technology and detection electronic warfare appears linked to North Korea’s direct experience with the heavy reliance on drones by Ukraine.’,
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, ‘Kim observed suicide drone performance tests in August and November last year as well. Key officials, including Park Jung-chon, Cho Chun-ryong, Secretariat of the Party, Ri Byong-chol, Chief Advisor for the Party Central Committee’s Military Policy, and Kim Yong-hwan, Director of the National Defense Science Institute, accompanied Kim on this site visit.’,
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