If Admiral Samuel J. Paparo has his way, North Korea will receive MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets in return for Russia’s support in the Ukraine war (-> current news from the Ukraine war) .
During the renowned “2024 Reagan National Defense Forum”, the highest-ranking US officer for the Indo-Pacific spoke at length about the security situation in Asia, in particular about North Korea and its new partnership with Russia. He explained that the agreement that has come to light provides for Russia to provide North Korea with “more powerful but nevertheless outdated fourth-generation fighter aircraft”. He did not specify the exact number of aircraft.
However, North Korea is likely to demand more than just fighter jets. According to Admiral Paparo, Pyongyang could also be interested in advanced military technology, including ballistic re-entry vehicles, modern submarine systems and improved ground-based air defense systems.
This deepening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea mirrors similar agreements Moscow has made with other adversaries of the US in exchange for their support in the ongoing war, Paparo said. He also emphasized that this exchange illustrates Russia’s growing dependence on its allies to continue the war in Ukraine despite international sanctions.
North Korean air force is getting on in years
It remains unclear whether the aircraft were built from scratch or whether they came from Russian stockpiles. Paparo’s information without further details on the exact versions suggests that the equipment already existed. But for the branch of the armed forces officially known as the “Korean People’s Army Air Force” (KPAAF), anything is a win, as it is considered the weakest arm of the military and has been stagnating for decades.
The KPAAF currently has more than 400 fighter aircraft, 80 light bombers and more than 200 transport aircraft. However, the most modern aircraft are early MiG-29A, delivered towards the end of the Soviet era. The rest are even older Russian and Chinese “relics”, such as MiG-21s and Su-25s, through to Chinese MiG-15s, MiG-17s, Il-28s and An-2s. Many of these aircraft are not considered operational due to their advanced age. Kim’s pilots – there are also female pilots – still fly under the strict regime of senior officers who dictate every maneuver.
In 2019, Kim Jong Un traveled abroad for the first time in years to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and high-ranking military officials. One of the highlights of his visit was a tour of the aircraft plant in Komsomolsk on the Amur River, where
Sukhoi
jets are produced, including the Su-27, Su-30, Su-35 and the long-term project of the Su-57 stealth fighter.
Kim showed particular interest – visibly and according to South Korean findings – in the Su-57. He was shown a test flight of the jet, known as the “Flounder”, and inspected the cockpit. The Su-35 was also demonstrated to him.
Here
for more news about the North Korean armed forces.
