North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the testing of new “suicide drones” over the weekend, state media reported on Monday. The drones, designed to crash into and destroy targets, were showcased in a series of military drills that underscore Pyongyang’s ongoing efforts to bolster its military capabilities.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the tests involved multiple types of drones that flew along various routes and successfully struck designated targets. Among the targets was a mock-up resembling South Korea’s K-2 battle tank. The KCNA release included images of the drones, which feature X-shaped tails and wings, and detailed their impact on the test targets. The agency noted that these drones are intended to attack both land and sea-based targets.
🚨 Kim Jong-un recently oversaw the testing of four new kamikaze drones, highlighting North Korea’s growing military capabilities, which now include Iranian-made technology. The tests were conducted by the Drone Research Institute of North Korea’s Academy of Defense Sciences. pic.twitter.com/i2yu8do3j9
— BigBreakingWire (@BigBreakingWire) August 26, 2024
Following the tests, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of accelerating the development of advanced drones to strengthen North Korea’s military readiness. He stated that the military should be equipped with a range of drones capable of executing reconnaissance, underwater strikes, and direct attacks on enemy targets. KCNA reported that Kim urged for these capabilities to be developed “as early as possible,” reflecting his commitment to expanding the North’s tactical and strategic options.
The drone tests come amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, as North Korea continues to showcase its growing arsenal in response to perceived threats. Analysts in South Korea have noted that the drones displayed by North Korea bear similarities to Russia’s Zala Lancet-3 drones, raising questions about possible technological exchanges between Pyongyang and Moscow. South Korean military officials are reportedly investigating these similarities but have not yet confirmed any direct links.
The timing of the tests coincides with the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea. These large-scale drills, which focus on strengthening defensive measures against North Korean threats, involve both live-fire exercises and computer-simulated war scenarios.
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