Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the testing of new “suicide drones” that successfully destroyed mock targets, including a replica tank, according to state media reports on Monday. These drones, also known as loitering munitions, have gained prominence in recent conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and Middle East operations. During the tests, the drones demonstrated their capability to accurately identify and strike targets after following predetermined flight paths, as confirmed by the state news agency KCNA.
Kim’s visit to the Drone Institute of North Korea’s Academy of Defence Sciences on Saturday marked a significant step in North Korea’s unmanned military advancements. He urged the development of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency of these drones and called for mass production. KCNA stated that the focus would not only be on suicide drones for tactical infantry and special operations but also on underwater drones, strategic reconnaissance, and multi-purpose attack drones.
Loitering munitions, designed to linger in the air until a target is located, then crash into it with a warhead, have been extensively used in modern warfare. Photos released by North Korean state media showed at least four types of drones, some utilizing small rocket engines for launch before switching to propeller-based flight.
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When questioned about the similarities between North Korea’s drones and Russia’s ZALA Lancet or Iran’s Shahed, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said more analysis is needed. A JCS spokesperson stated, “We understand that some gifts (drones) were given in an exchange between North Korea and Russia in the past… We need to analyse various measures to see if those have improved performance.”
Nuclear-armed North Korea has a history of military cooperation with both Russia and Iran. Seoul’s Unification Ministry noted that this was the first time North Korea had publicly revealed its suicide drone technology.
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The tensions surrounding drone technology escalated in 2022 when several North Korean drones crossed the border into South Korea, even briefly entering a no-fly zone near Seoul’s presidential office before retreating. In response, South Korea has committed to deploying laser-based weapons to counter the North’s drones this year. These systems will be the first of their kind to be used by a military force. Additionally, some skyscrapers in Seoul have been equipped with anti-aircraft guns.
Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States have commenced their annual summertime military exercises, which include drills to defend against North Korean drones.
