North Korea transforms Il‑76 into eyes in the sky: New satellite images
Satellite images confirm that work is underway at Pyongyang airport to convert an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft into an AWACS-type aircraft. We explain what the ongoing work may entail and why its completion will be a significant boost for the North Korean military.
North Korea currently does not possess AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft, which are critical for early warning and control operations. As a result, it cannot conduct reconnaissance that is significantly more accurate than relying solely on ground-based radars.
The first information about the development of an AWACS aircraft to strengthen North Korea's air force appeared in November 2023. New satellite images, from July 15th of this year, provide evidence that this work is still ongoing.
North Korea is developing an AWACS aircraft based on the Il-76
Unsurprisingly, the Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft is being used for this purpose. North Korea has three of these aircraft, which were produced in Russia. Recently, relations between Pyongyang and Moscow have tightened significantly. Despite this, analysts are unsure if Russian specialists are assisting with the project. Some suggest that the Chinese might also be involved.
The Russian direction seems more probable for certain reasons. The local industry has already converted the Il-76 into an AWACS aircraft. The A-50 Shmel and its modernization, the A-50U, referred to as the "eyes of the Russian air force," were based on the Il-76.
Work on a similar design for the North Korean air force could be another step in the cooperation between North Korea and Russia. This cooperation is evidenced by, among other things, increasingly numerous arms supplies for Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.
Introducing the AWACS aircraft into service would allow North Korea to more effectively monitor the activities of its southern neighbor and those of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The specifications of the aircraft under construction, of course, remain shrouded in secrecy.
It is worth noting that the Russian A-50U features a wingspan exceeding 164 feet and a length of almost 154 feet. The A-50's takeoff weight exceeds 379,000 pounds, and its maximum speed is 528 mph. The A-50U can operate at an altitude of up to 42,650 feet, conducting reconnaissance over distances of several hundred miles using the Shmel system radar.
