North Korea improves ballistic missiles and mass-produces drones with Russian support – NYT
North Korea is continuing to upgrade its ballistic missiles and has launched the mass production of attack drones, largely thanks to its cooperation with Russia.
Source: The New York Times
Details: The Russians are sharing their developments with Pyongyang in exchange for soldiers, workers and weapons.
North Korea is modernising its armed forces and weapons with the help of Russia, having renewed military cooperation following the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In early October, Pyongyang tested a tactical ballistic missile that it claims is capable of carrying a nuclear payload. South Korea and Japan estimated it flew about 700 km (430 miles), while North Korea claimed a range of 1,000 km (621 miles).
"South Korea usually responds to North Korean missile tests with brief statements condemning them as provocative. But five days after the North's launch, it test-fired its own hypersonic ballistic missile for the first time, observed by President Lee Jae Myung, indicating that Seoul has grown increasingly uneasy over the rapid advancement of North Korea's missile technology," the NYT writes.
Specifically, Pyongyang has access to Russian deployment data and feedback. Anton Ponomarenko, an analyst, noted that this has allowed them to improve the accuracy and manoeuvrability of their weapons, making the threat to South Korea "more substantial".
Russia has also helped North Korea develop its own unmanned systems and their mass production.
"Pyongyang has learned from the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East that inexpensive drones can overwhelm costly air defence systems. During a North Korean drill last month, a drone swarm attacked a target island, while cruise and ballistic missiles struck simultaneously from different directions. North Korea's evolving tactics will eventually force South Korea and its allies to redesign their air defences at exorbitant costs," the NYT explained.
Background:
- Bloomberg reported this September that Russia is involving North Korean citizens in the production of military drones, particularly at facilities in Alabuga, Tatarstan. Up to 25,000 North Koreans are believed to be working at Russian military plants.
- In addition, a North Korean missile forces unit, which could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine, has begun deploying in western Russia.
- Ukrainska Pravda previously reported that in August, Russia had asked North Korea to provide KN-30 ballistic missiles. In June 2026, North Korea announced the testing of a modernised 240mm multiple-launch rocket system, a tactical ballistic missile and a 155mm long-range artillery shell.
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