Kim inspects new upgraded reconnaissance drones capable of detecting various tactical targets, enemy activities
\n SEOUL
\nNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of suicide drones with artificial intelligence (AI) technology and said unmanned control and AI capability must be the top priorities in modern arms development, state media reported on Thursday.
\nKim inspected new upgraded reconnaissance drones that are capable of detecting various tactical targets and enemy activities on land and at sea, KCNA state news agency said.
\n\u201cThe field of unmanned equipment and artificial intelligence should be top-prioritised and developed in modernising the armed forces,\u201d KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
\nThe nuclear-armed North also officially unveiled an airborne early-warning aircraft for the first time, a capability that could improve its aging air defence systems.
\nPhotographs published by state media showed Kim climbing steps toward the door of a large aircraft with four engines and a radar dome mounted on the fuselage, and viewing the aircraft on a low fly-by.
\nUsing commercial satellite imagery, analysts have previously reported that North Korea was converting the Russian-made Il-76 cargo aircraft for an early-warning role.
\nSuch an aircraft would help augment the North\u2019s existing land-based radar systems, which are sometimes limited by the peninsula\u2019s mountainous terrain, London\u2019s International Institute for Strategic Studies said in a report in September.
\n\u201cThe ability of an AEW aircraft to look down mitigates some of the challenges of the terrain and ground-clutter returns to track low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles,\u201d the report said.
\nOne AEW aircraft would not be enough, however, and North Korea would risk canabilising the rest of its cargo fleet to build more, the report said.
\nSouth Korea\u2019s military said the aircraft\u2019s operational capability is not yet clear but its appearance indicated it is \u201clarge and heavy and probably susceptible to interception.\u201d
\nWhile the aircraft was refurbished from the existing fleet, \u201cRussia may have had something to do the internal system and parts,\u201d Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-jun told a briefing, when asked about possible Russian assistance.
\nRussia has provided North Korea with anti-air missiles and unspecified air defence equipment, in return for Pyongyang\u2019s deployment of troops to help with the Ukraine war, South Korea\u2019s national security adviser Shin Won-sik said in November.
\nKim separately inspected newly developed equipment for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, electronic jamming and attack systems, KCNA said.
\nPhotos showed fixed-wing UAV zeroing in on a tank-shaped target then exploding in flames. Kim was seen walking with aides with what appeared to be an unmanned surveillance aircraft that resembles the US RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude surveillance aircraft parked on the tarmac in the background.
\nNorth Korean troops deployed in Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine are believed to have been engaged in drone warfare, gaining valuable battleground experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kim inspects new upgraded reconnaissance drones capable of detecting various tactical targets, enemy activities SEOUL North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of suicide drones with artificial intelligence (AI) technology and said unmanned control and AI capability must be the top priorities in modern arms development, state media reported on Thursday. Kim inspected […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":469624,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-469591","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n