North Korean leader Kim Jon Un recently revealed new exploding “suicide drones” and showcased them in military drills, state-run media reported.
On Monday, Reuters reported that the North Korean state media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) referred to the military weapons as “suicide drones” and said that Kim watched as the drones struck a mock target and a practice tank.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that photos from the North Korean tests showed a white drone crashing into a target that resembled a South Korean battle tank. The drones were equipped with X-shaped wings and instead of firing a missile from afar, the drone flew directly into the target to destroy it.
KCNA reportedly said that the tests on Saturday involved various drone types designed to hit enemy targets on land and sea. The drones flew along different routes before accurately striking test targets.
Following the test, Kim vowed to accelerate the development of drones capable of exploding on impact, conducting reconnaissance or attacking underwater targets with the goal of enhancing his country’s military readiness. Kim emphasized that North Korea’s military should be equipped with advanced drones “as early as possible,” according to KCNA.
The tests in North Korea come as the U.S. and South Korea have began their Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills, which are expected to continue for the next few days. The military drills seek to prepare South Korea for a potential attack from the North, which include a military aerial drill and simulated war games.
South Korea’s air force announced that the drill, which began with precision-bombing demonstrations featuring South Korean F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, is focused on countering threats from North Korea’s drones, cruise missiles and artillery.
Lee Chang Hyun, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a briefing that the military is closely assessing North Korea’s drone capabilities. He added that South Korea has systems in place to detect and intercept drones but did not provide further details.
Lee also said that some photos from the North Korean military drills appear to show that the new drones look similar to Russia’s Zala Lancet-3 drones.
“We are aware that during the past exchanges between North Korea and Russia that some (drones) were given (to North Korea) as gifts,” Lee said. “We would need to analyze various aspects, including whether (North Korea) would have modified to improve their capabilities or other possibilities.”
Earlier this month, North Korea warned the U.S. of “serious consequences” after Washington provided South Korea with military hardware including Apache helicopters.
The warning, which described South Korea as a “vassal force” and the U.S. as “recklessly provocative,” coincided with Kamala Harris‘ speech at the Democratic National Convention, where she called Kim a “tyrant and and a dictator.”
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