North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has supervised the country’s testing of new military technology, involving drones equipped with artificial intelligence (AI).
Kim personally oversaw the trials of various AI-driven suicide and reconnaissance drones, according to North Korea’s state news outlet, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The new drones, developed by North Korea’s Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, are designed for tracking and monitoring strategic targets, as well as enemy troop activities on land and at sea. The attack drones are intended for use in tactical strike missions, with both systems featuring advanced AI capabilities.
Kim also highlighted the importance of focusing on unmanned aerial systems and AI within North Korea’s military modernization efforts, emphasizing the need for a long-term development plan to accelerate the production of “intelligent drones,” which he described as central to modern warfare.
The tests, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, reportedly showed the attack drones successfully hitting ground targets, including military vehicles. Photographs released by KCNA featured Kim inspecting a large reconnaissance drone, which appeared to be bigger than a fighter jet, as well as boarding an airborne early warning and control (AEW) aircraft, which North Korea revealed for the first time. The AEW aircraft, equipped with a radar dome similar to the South Korean Peace Eye, was expected to enhance North Korea’s radar capabilities.
Kim also received updates on the country’s new intelligence-gathering systems and electronic jamming technologies developed by North Korea’s electronic warfare unit.
In addition, concerns over North Korea’s military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine continue to grow. South Korean officials and analysts have reported that North Korea has supplied Russia with thousands of troops, missiles, and artillery. This year alone, North Korea has sent an additional 3,000 soldiers to assist in the conflict, as well as a significant amount of weaponry, including short-range ballistic missiles and rocket launchers.
