On November 14, 2024, North Korean head of state Kim Jong Un announced he was launching “massive production” of explosive drones. It remains to be seen in what framework this initiative fits.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered to prioritize “production massive” of explosive drones, state media reported Friday, at a time when his country is accused of sending soldiers and weapons to Russia to help in its war against Ukraine.
Kim Jong Un attended a performance test of this type of machine at a factory on Thursday, according to the North Korean news agency KCNA.
“Mass production”
“He stressed the need to build a mass production system as soon as possible and move to mass production” of explosive drones, reported KCNA.
These explosive-carrying drones, which Pyongyang first unveiled in August, are designed to deliberately crash into enemy targets, acting like guided missiles.
Experts believe that these drones may come from the strengthening of the country's alliance with Russia.
Moscow and Pyongyang, communist allies throughout the Cold War, have grown significantly closer since Russia's attack on Ukraine began in February 2022.
Russia notably concluded a mutual defense treaty with North Korea during a rare visit by its President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang in June, which provides “immediate military aid” reciprocal in the event of an attack against one of the two countries.
Russian technology?
During Thursday's test, the drones reached “accurately” targets after following predetermined trajectories, KCNA reported.
“Suicide attack drones used at different striking distances have the mission to precisely attack all enemy targets on the ground and at sea,” the agency said.
Kim Jong Un said drones were a “easy to use item” due to their relatively low production cost and wide range of applications, according to KCNA.
He argued that North Korea had “recently attached to importance” to the development of unmanned military equipment and their integration into the country's overall military strategy.
Experts said the drones, images of which were published by state media in August, resemble the Russian-made Lancet-3, as well as the Israeli-made Harop explosive drone and the also Israeli Hero-30.
According to specialists, North Korea could have acquired these technologies from Russia which, in turn, probably obtained them from Iran, Tehran itself being suspected of having had access to them by hacking or by stealing them from Israel.
“Hostile” state
This announcement also comes in a period of tensions between South Korea and North Korea, which recently fired a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, presented by the North Korean regime as the most advanced of its kind. arsenal.
In 2022, North Korea sent drones to the South, five of which managed to cross the border, leading the South Korean military to carry out warning shots and deploy fighter jets. The latter had not managed to shoot down a single drone.
This year, in addition to sending balloons filled with garbage towards the South, Pyongyang accused Seoul of violating its sovereignty by deploying drones to drop propaganda.
By mentioning the “production and practical deployment of various drones”North Korea appears to be hinting that it could do the same, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.
Pyongyang could “suggest the possibility of using balloons to disseminate leaflets in the South with such drones”prompted Yang Moo-jin.
“Given the effectiveness of drone attacks seen in the Ukraine war, they could also be used” in the context of this conflict, he added.
Last month, North Korea amended its constitution to define South Korea as a state “hostile”, and demolished roads and railways connecting the two countries.
