North Korea has stepped up its military activity in the region by holding a large-scale air defense and air strike drill. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally attended the drill, visited the troops and inspected the aircraft, and a new air-to-air missile the country has developed was unveiled to the public for the first time.
Kim Jong Un visited a flying regiment of the 15st Air Division on May 1 to inspect the drill on site, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. During his visit, Kim stressed that “all units of the armed forces must maintain a constant state of alertness and operational readiness and fundamentally transform their war preparations.” These statements are seen as a reflection of North Korea’s determination to strengthen its military deterrence in the face of regional tensions.
The KCNA report stated that the aim of the exercise was to further develop the army’s ability to “detect, track and destroy enemy cruise missiles and kamikaze UAVs.” Various flight squadrons, air defense units, radar teams and electronic warfare elements actively participated in the exercise. The widely participated exercise was interpreted as an integrated demonstration of North Korea’s air defense and offensive capabilities.
The new air-to-air missile, which was first displayed during the drill, has not yet been officially described and its technical specifications have been released by North Korea. However, military observers estimate that the missile’s overall design could have a range of up to 100 kilometers. This range means that the missile could potentially surpass the performance of many systems in North Korea’s current air-to-air missile inventory. In this context, the new system is thought to be designed specifically to counter South Korea’s modern warplanes, with the aim of extending engagement range and significantly improving its ability to intercept enemy aircraft.
According to a report by Army Recognition, the external design of the new North Korean missile is quite similar to the PL-12, a beyond-visual-range active radar-guided missile widely used by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This similarity has led to speculation that North Korea may have taken inspiration from China in its missile technology development process. It is also claimed that the new missile will be integrated into North Korea’s MiG-29 fighter jets. In conclusion, while the official technical details of the North Korean missile are not yet known, the similarity in its external design to the PL-12 may indicate a deliberate attempt to imitate the missile in terms of its functionality and capabilities. This is considered to be part of North Korea’s efforts to modernize its air power and influence regional military balances.
