North Korea ramps up mass production of kamikaze drones
The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, has ordered the mass production of combat kamikaze drones, stating that these devices have become an essential element of military strategy, according to the North Korean state news agency KCNA.
7:04 AM EST, November 15, 2024
Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the "guided a test of suicide drones and ordered a mass production of the aerial weapon" developed by a national institute on Thursday. He emphasized the urgency to "build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production," reported KCNA.
Kamikaze drones, also referred to as loitering munitions, are widely used in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, recalls Reuters.
Kim Jong Un noted that the competition in drone development worldwide has accelerated. Their production is described as cheap and simple, with an expanding range of applications in combat operations.
Military experts around the world recognize that drones achieve significant success in both large and small conflicts. This has emerged as a necessary requirement in modern military strategy, he added.
Strengthening cooperation with Russia
Earlier this year, Kim observed a kamikaze drone test, which, in connection with the strengthening of military cooperation with Russia, raised suspicions that Moscow is aiding Pyongyang in developing these machines. North Korea has reportedly sent soldiers to Russia's western front, where, according to American and South Korean officials, they are fighting against Ukrainians.
In 2022, five North Korean reconnaissance drones entered South Korean airspace, one of which flew over the northern part of Seoul.
