December 07, 2023
Analysis

Explainer: How North Korea is developing drones into weapons of war

Experts say adaptability of unmanned aerial systems provides multiple ways for DPRK to challenge South Korean defenses

The South Korean military’s failure to intercept or shoot down five North Korean drones that entered ROK airspace this week showcased the significant strategic value these capabilities provide Pyongyang, which experts say has made considerable progress in advancing their developments as tools of war.

Drones’ “adaptability” is a big part of their appeal to countries like the DPRK, offering both reconnaissance functions and the ability to deliver destructive payloads, in a way unlike most other military systems, according to National University of Singapore (NUS) lecturer Beryl Pong.