Russia Helps Pyongyang Build Drones

South Korea and its allies face a more complex defense challenge as North Korea begins mass production of attack drones and upgrades its ballistic missiles. A New York Times report details how this rapid expansion is driven by a deepening military exchange with Russia.

The two nations renewed their military ties after Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Moscow has passed military developments to Pyongyang. In return, North Korea provides soldiers, workers, and weapons to the Russian war effort.

In early October, Pyongyang tested a tactical ballistic missile that it claims can carry a nuclear payload. South Korean and Japanese estimates placed the missile range at 700 km, while North Korea claimed a range of 1,000 km. Five days later, South Korea test fired its own hypersonic ballistic missile for the first time. President Lee Jae Myung observed the launch, a move The New York Times described as a sign of growing unease in Seoul regarding North Korean missile progress.

Analyst Anton Ponomarenko said access to Russian deployment data and feedback has helped North Korea improve the accuracy and maneuverability of its weapons. He characterized the threat to South Korea as more substantial as a result.

Russia has also assisted in building North Korean unmanned systems. The New York Times noted that Pyongyang observed inexpensive drones overwhelming costly air defense systems in Ukraine and the Middle East. In a drill last month, a North Korean drone swarm attacked a target island while cruise and ballistic missiles struck from different directions simultaneously.

Bloomberg reported in September that Russia is using North Korean citizens to produce military drones at facilities in Alabuga, Tatarstan. Up to 25,000 North Koreans are believed to be working at Russian military plants. A North Korean missile forces unit capable of carrying 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers has also begun deploying in western Russia.

Prior to this report, Ukrainska Pravda noted that Russia requested KN 30 ballistic missiles from North Korea in August. In June, North Korea announced tests of a modernized 240mm multiple launch rocket system, a tactical ballistic missile, and a 155mm long range artillery shell.