Russia funds North Korea drone surge
Pyongyang is mass-producing attack drones and improving missile accuracy using data shared by Moscow, a New York Times report says.
By Lina Lewis ·
Pyongyang has begun mass-producing attack drones with Russian assistance.
The New York Times reported that North Korea is upgrading its ballistic missile capabilities while simultaneously scaling up drone output. The newspaper stated that Moscow is providing military developments to Pyongyang in exchange for soldiers, workers, and weapons.
This cooperation deepened after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, North Korea has used Russian aid to modernize its armed forces. In early October, Pyongyang tested a tactical ballistic missile that it claims can carry a nuclear payload.
South Korea and Japan estimated the missile flew approximately 700 km, or 430 miles. North Korea claimed a range of 1,000 km, or 621 miles. Seoul responded by test-firing its own hypersonic ballistic missile for the first time. President Lee Jae Myung observed the launch, which occurred five days after the North's test.
Analyst Anton Ponomarenko said access to Russian deployment data and feedback helped North Korea improve the accuracy and maneuverability of its weapons. He described the threat to South Korea as "more substantial." The New York Times noted that Pyongyang has observed how inexpensive drones can overwhelm costly air defense systems in Ukraine and the Middle East.
A North Korean drill last month featured a drone swarm attacking a target island while cruise and ballistic missiles struck from different directions at the same time. Bloomberg reported in September that Russia is using North Korean citizens to produce military drones at facilities in Alabuga, Tatarstan. Up to 25,000 North Koreans are believed to be working at Russian military plants.
A North Korean missile forces unit has begun deploying in western Russia. The unit could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine. In August, Russia asked North Korea to provide KN-30 ballistic missiles. North Korea also announced tests of a modernized 240mm multiple-launch rocket system, a tactical ballistic missile, and a 155mm long-range artillery shell in June.
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