Kim Jong Un supervises tests of North Korea’s new AI-powered drones
The North Korean leader oversaw trials of the nation’s latest military advancements incorporating artificial intelligence.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the testing of newly developed AI-powered suicide and reconnaissance drones, emphasizing the need to prioritize unmanned aircraft and artificial intelligence in the country’s military modernization efforts.
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday, Kim supervised the trials of “various types of reconnaissance and suicide drones” manufactured by North Korea’s Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex. The reconnaissance drones are designed to “track and monitor strategic targets and enemy troop movements on land and at sea,” while the attack drones will be deployed for “various tactical missions.” KCNA noted that both drone systems are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence.
Kim has approved plans to expand the production of “unmanned equipment and AI technology,” stressing the need for a long-term strategy to accelerate the development of “intelligent drones,” which he described as “the future of modern warfare.”
Photos from the tests, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, reportedly show attack drones successfully striking ground targets, including military vehicles. Kim was also pictured inspecting a newly developed unmanned reconnaissance aircraft—larger than a fighter jet—and boarding an airborne early warning and control (AEW) aircraft, marking the first time such a system has been publicly revealed by North Korea.
The newly unveiled AEW aircraft, featuring a radar dome on its fuselage, bears similarities to the Boeing-manufactured Peace Eye used by South Korea’s air force. Previously, analysts had detected North Korea’s efforts to develop an early warning system by modifying a Russian-made Il-76 cargo plane using commercial satellite imagery.
A report from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) last year stated that an AEW aircraft could enhance North Korea’s land-based radar capabilities, though a single unit would not be sufficient.
During his visit to the test site, Kim was also briefed on intelligence-gathering technologies, as well as newly developed electronic warfare systems, including electronic jamming and attack capabilities, KCNA reported.
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