Pyongyang Starts Drone Factory Lines
Russian data aids missile accuracy while up to 25,000 North Korean workers build drones in Tatarstan.
By Adewale Rousseau ·
North Korea has begun mass-producing attack drones, a shift driven by technology and data shared by Russia. The New York Times reported that Moscow is exchanging military developments for North Korean soldiers, workers, and weapons. This cooperation has accelerated Pyongyang's modernization of its armed forces since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In early October, North Korea tested a tactical ballistic missile. The state claimed a range of 1,000 kilometers, while South Korea and Japan estimated the flight distance at 700 kilometers. Analysts indicate that Russian deployment data and feedback have improved the accuracy and maneuverability of these weapons. Anton Ponomarenko, a defense analyst, stated that these upgrades make the threat to South Korea more substantial.
South Korea responded to the missile test by firing its own hypersonic ballistic missile for the first time. President Lee Jae Myung observed the launch five days after the North's test. The New York Times noted that this response signaled growing unease in Seoul regarding the rapid progress of North Korean missile technology.
Russia is also helping North Korea build unmanned systems in large numbers. Pyongyang has observed how inexpensive drones can overwhelm costly air defense systems in Ukraine and the Middle East. During a drill last month, a North Korean drone swarm attacked a target island while cruise and ballistic missiles struck from different directions at the same time.
Bloomberg reported in September that up to 25,000 North Korean citizens are working at Russian military plants in Alabuga, Tatarstan. These workers are producing military drones. Additionally, a North Korean missile forces unit has begun deploying in western Russia. The unit could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine.
Recent reporting indicates a deepening military exchange between the two nations. Russia asked North Korea in August to provide KN-30 ballistic missiles. In June, North Korea announced tests of a modernized 240mm multiple-launch rocket system, a tactical ballistic missile, and a 155mm long-range artillery shell.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
