Seoul, Mar 27 (EFE).- North Korea conducted tests of new suicide drones incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and unveiled a suspected early warning and control aircraft under the watch of leader Kim Jong-un, the state Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Thursday.
An undated photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 27 March 2025 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (2-L) inspecting what appears to be a large reconnaissance drone at an undisclosed location in North Korea. EFE/EPA/KCNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Kim oversaw the research work of the Unmanned Aircraft Technology Complex and the country’s electronic warfare research group during Mar. 25-26.
An undated photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 27 March 2025 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) inspecting what appears to be a large reconnaissance drone at an undisclosed location in North Korea. EFE/EPA/KCNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY
During his visit, he supervised tests of new AI-powered suicide drones and a new strategic reconnaissance drone capable of tracking targets on land and sea, the performance of which was described as “innovative” by the outlet.
Images released by KCNA also showed Kim aboard what appeared to be a new control aircraft based on a modified Russian Ilyushin IL-76 with a large radome, an orb-shaped structure that protects radar antennas and conceals electronic equipment, on top, suggesting an attempt by North Korea to reduce its historical disadvantage in early warning capabilities against South Korea.
An airborne early warning system uses radars to detect aircraft and vessels. For a country that barely had any capabilities in this area, and whose fighters remain largely obsolete models, this development could mark a step toward participating in modern air combat, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Kim emphasized that “unmanned equipment and artificial intelligence should be top-prioritized and developed in modernizing the armed forces,” underscoring the need to accelerate the qualitative and technological transformation of unmanned weapon systems.
He also inspected new electronic jamming and attack systems and expressed satisfaction with the developed weapons, which he described as essential for neutralizing enemy assets and gathering key intelligence.
This approach reflects potential lessons learned by Pyongyang from the war in Ukraine, where the use of drones has been instrumental, according to Yonhap.
This is not the first time that Kim has overseen suicide drone tests. He also did so in August and November 2024. EFE
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