North Korea publicly revealed a reconnaissance asset similar to the Republic of Korea Air Force's airborne early warning and control aircraft, 'Peace Eye', for the first time.
Korean Central News Agency reported that Chairman Kim guided the defense science research projects of the unmanned aerial technology consortium and the detection electronic warfare research group on the 25th to 26th.
Korean Central News Agency reported, "The innovative performance of a new unmanned strategic reconnaissance aircraft equipped with detection capabilities capable of tracking and monitoring various strategic targets and enemy activities on land and at sea has been confirmed," and noted, "The striking capabilities of the suicide drones that can be used for various tactical attack missions were fully demonstrated."
In photos released by North Korean media, Chairman Kim was seen boarding the airborne control aircraft, giving several instructions to military officials accompanying him inside. The internal screen of the airborne control aircraft displayed a map of the Korean Peninsula.
The airborne control aircraft boarded by Chairman Kim has a shape resembling the Il-76 transport plane from Russia, equipped with a radar antenna cover designed to be waterproof and dustproof called a radome. It has been reported that such airborne control aircraft are also used by China and India.
Chairman Kim observed scenes where suicide drones strike ground tanks and also watched the flight of an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that resembles the U.S. Global Hawk (RQ-4).
Earlier, North Korea unveiled a strategic unmanned reconnaissance aircraft similar to the Global Hawk at an armed equipment exhibition in July 2023, and a flight scene of this unmanned reconnaissance aircraft referred to as 'Star-4' was shown during the report on the 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice agreement on the Korean War (Victory Day) held that month.
The unmanned reconnaissance aircraft observed by Chairman Kim this time has wings that are narrower and longer compared to the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft unveiled in 2023.
NK News' premium service, NK Pro, reported in February that analysis of 'Planet Labs' satellite images revealed that the wingspan of the North Korean unmanned aircraft modeled after the Global Hawk has increased to 40 meters, greater than the wingspan of existing aircraft (35 meters).
Chairman Kim said, "In the construction of military modernization, unmanned equipment and artificial intelligence technology fields are the sectors that must be prioritized and developed."
Korean Central News Agency reported, "(Chairman Kim) emphasized again the scientific and practical directions and methods to continuously accelerate qualitative and technological transformations in the development and production of unmanned armed equipment and to realize operational capability enhancement."
Meanwhile, Chairman Kim stated that "our special means, with modern technology introduced, will play a significant role in monitoring potential threats and gathering critical information," and noted, "they will demonstrate sufficient power in neutralizing various enemy combat means."
Additionally, Chairman Kim expressed great satisfaction regarding the development and production of new electronic disruption attack weapon systems, according to Korean Central News Agency.
In this on-site guidance by Chairman Kim, key officials accompanying him included Party Secretary Park Jeong-cheon, Party Secretary Jo Chun-ryong, Chief Advisor for Defense Policy of the Party Central Committee Lee Byeong-chul, and Director of the Defense Science Institute Kim Yong-hwan.