Missiles Smart Bombs and Stealth Drones… Kim Prepares for War with Cutting-Edge Weapons

17th May 2025

3 minutes read

Missiles Smart Bombs and Stealth Drones... Kim Prepares for War with Cutting-Edge Weapons

In a new escalation of military rhetoric, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen major aerial exercises, calling for intensified preparations for a potential war.

For the first time, North Korea revealed the live firing of a medium-range air-to-air guided missile from a MiG-29 fighter jet during a field exercise personally supervised by Kim Jong-un on May 15.

The training, reported by Yonhap news agency, involved aerial and offensive maneuvers by an aviation wing of the First Air Division, using air-to-air missiles and satellite-guided glide bombs. The exercise simulated intercepting aerial threats such as drones and cruise missiles.

This marks North Korea’s first practical demonstration of its medium-range air-to-air missile capabilities, nearly four years after unveiling the first model at the “Air Show 2021.” The drill highlights Pyongyang’s progress in integrating missile systems with advanced radar and electronic equipment.

According to South Korean MP Yoo Young-won, the test may indicate Russian technological support as part of growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Yoo noted that the missile closely resembles the U.S. AMRAAM and Chinese PL-12 models, suggesting North Korea may have acquired advanced technology from Russia.

Military analysts believe the intercepted target may have been a “Ray” drone or a missile similar to Russia’s anti-ship “Uran” missile, pointing to North Korea’s intent to strengthen its defenses against high-precision aerial attacks by smart missiles and drones.

Stealth Drones on Display

One of the highlights of the drills was the debut of strategic drones: the “Satbyol-4,” modeled after the U.S. Global Hawk, and the “Satbyol-9,” resembling the American Reaper. These drones appeared flying in formation for the first time, signaling North Korea’s desire to enhance its long-range strike capabilities.

Kim Inspects Air-to-Air Missile

Yoo warned that the visual similarity of these drones to American models could cause confusion on the battlefield, especially in the event of surprise attacks.

Precision-Guided Bombs

Official photos also showed the use of satellite-guided air-to-ground bombs, believed to be local variants of South Korea’s “KGGB” smart bomb. Yoo remarked that Pyongyang is learning from the war in Ukraine to update its military tactics, stating that the recent exercise reflects a comprehensive modernization strategy.

These developments support increasing concerns about a North Korea–Russia military partnership, amid Western accusations that Pyongyang is supplying munitions and equipment for the Ukraine front in exchange for Russian technological support. If confirmed, this alliance could shift the balance of deterrence on the Korean Peninsula and heighten risks of military escalation.

Intense Military Activity

This move comes as part of Kim‘s heightened military activity in May, including missile tests, inspections of tank and ammunition factories, a rare visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang to renew ties with Moscow, and oversight of special forces and tank firing exercises.

Ongoing Diplomatic Tensions

Politically, North Korea has condemned Washington after the U.S. State Department reinstated Pyongyang on its annual list of countries “not fully cooperating” in counterterrorism. North Korea called the move a repeated provocation.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said such U.S. actions “foster irreconcilable hostility,” adding that Pyongyang “will take effective and appropriate measures to counter all U.S. provocations.”

This mutual escalation reflects the enduring tensions between Pyongyang and Washington, with no significant diplomatic breakthrough since nuclear talks stalled years ago.