North Korea debuts new spy and combat drones that mimic US models



Analysis North Korea debuts new spy and combat drones that mimic US models Capabilities resemble Reaper and Global Hawk UAVs, though expert says unclear whether they’re based on stolen designs Colin Zwirko July 27, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Kim Jong Un walks with Russian defense chief Sergei Shoigu past a new drone resembling a U.S. Global Hawk model \| Image: Rodong Sinmun (July 27, 2023) North Korea unveiled two new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that closely resemble known U.S. drone models on Thursday, signaling via state media that the country is well on its way to achieving both combat and reconnaissance drone capabilities. It is unclear when Pyongyang began developing the new drones, but their reveal comes around two and a half years after the Jan. 2021 party congress, where DPRK leader Kim Jong Un ordered the military to produce “unmanned striking equipment” and “reconnaissance drones” with a range of 310 miles (500 km). Both appear in photos of the “Weapons and Equipment Exhibition © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Analysis

North Korea debuts new spy and combat drones that mimic US models

Capabilities resemble Reaper and Global Hawk UAVs, though expert says unclear whether they’re based on stolen designs

Colin Zwirko July 27, 2023

North Korea debuts new spy and combat drones that mimic US models

Kim Jong Un walks with Russian defense chief Sergei Shoigu past a new drone resembling a U.S. Global Hawk model | Image: Rodong Sinmun (July 27, 2023)

North Korea unveiled two new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that closely resemble known U.S. drone models on Thursday, signaling via state media that the country is well on its way to achieving both combat and reconnaissance drone capabilities.

It is unclear when Pyongyang began developing the new drones, but their reveal comes around two and a half years after the Jan. 2021 party congress, where DPRK leader Kim Jong Un ordered the military to produce “unmanned striking equipment” and “reconnaissance drones” with a range of 310 miles (500 km).

Both appear in photos of the “Weapons and Equipment Exhibition

North Korea debuts new spy and combat drones that mimic US models

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