North Korea has reportedly conducted tests on new suicide and reconnaissance drones equipped with artificial intelligence technology, as stated by state media on Thursday. This development raises additional alarms regarding the increasing military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow, particularly amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In August, North Korea showcased its attack drones, and experts have suggested that this advancement is linked to the strengthening ties between North Korea and traditional ally Russia. The nuclear-capable nation has formalized a significant defense agreement with Moscow, and reports have indicated that it might be deploying thousands of troops to assist Russia in its military operations in Ukraine.
Seoul has consistently voiced concerns about the potential transfer of sensitive military technologies from Russia to North Korea in exchange for military personnel and arsenal support for Moscow’s extended campaign against Kyiv.
During the recent drone testing, Kim Jong Un oversaw operations involving “various kinds of reconnaissance and suicide drones” engineered by North Korea’s Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The newly designed strategic reconnaissance drones are purportedly capable of monitoring and tracking various strategic targets and enemy troop movements on both land and at sea.
The suicide drones showcased capabilities for executing diverse tactical attack missions. KCNA reported that these drones have been enhanced with “new artificial intelligence,” and Kim expressed his intent to expand the production capabilities for these technologies. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the development of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in the modernization of North Korea’s armed forces.
In a statement, Kim highlighted the necessity of establishing a “state long-term plan” aimed at the rapid advancement of operations involving intelligent drones. He noted that such innovations align with the evolving dynamics of modern warfare, where the competition for deploying intelligent drones is becoming increasingly significant.
Experts have cautioned that the North Korean military personnel deployed in support of Russia could be acquiring essential modern warfare experiences, particularly in the utilization of drones on the battlefield. Furthermore, Kim has reportedly expressed “great satisfaction” over the initiation of production for new electronic jamming and attack systems. North Korea has conducted multiple GPS jamming attacks on South Korean assets in the past, impacting vessels and numerous civilian aircraft.
This latest report follows Kim’s earlier directives for the mass production of attack drones intended to carry explosives and be deliberately crashed into enemy targets, functioning similarly to guided missiles. In 2022, North Korea dispatched drones across the border into South Korea, though South Korean military forces could not intercept them, citing their small size as a challenge.
