--- title: "Our Best Look At North Korea’s New Early-Warning Radar Plane" description: "New imagery shows the progress made on North Korea’s shadowy airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, based on an [Ilyushin Il-76 Candid]() airlifter; you can read more about it in our analysis of [when it first broke cover](). Since…" date: "2025-03-14" modified: "2025-03-14" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/our-best-look-at-north-koreas-new-early-warning-radar-plane" categories: - "A-50/A-100" - "Air" - "Air Forces" - "Around The Globe" - "Il-76" - "Indo-Pacific" - "Manned ISR" - "News & Features" - "North Korea" - "North Korean Air Force" - "Transports" --- # Our Best Look At North Korea’s New Early-Warning Radar Plane ![New imagery shows the progress made on North Korea’s shadowy airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, based on an Ilyushin Il-76 Candid airlifter, and which you can read more about in our analysis of when it first broke cover. Since the start of this year the aircraft now had its rotodome fitted, putting paid to any suggestion that it’s intended for a role other than AEW&C.]() *Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies* New imagery shows the progress made on North Korea’s shadowy airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, based on an [Ilyushin Il-76 Candid]() airlifter; you can read more about it in our analysis of [when it first broke cover](). Since the start of this year the aircraft now had its rotodome fitted, putting to bed any suggestion that it's intended for a role other than AEW&C. Satellite images obtained by *TWZ* from *Maxar* Technologies show how work on the aircraft has continued at Pyongyang International Airport over recent months. Throughout, the aircraft has remained in a new sectioned-off compound next to a maintenance hangar at the airport. As we reported in the past, the construction of this cordoned-off area seems to have begun in late September or October of 2023. When the AEW&C was first revealed, there was work being undertaken on the top of its fuselage, just aft of the wing, where the radome would eventually be mounted. By mid-December 2023, it seems that the radome mounting had been attached, with the shadow cast by it also visible. ![]() *A satellite image of the Il-76 at Pyongyang International Airport on December 12, 2023. *PHOTO © 2023 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION** In early August of 2024, the upper surfaces of the aircraft were draped with some kind of covering, although it’s unclear if this was intended to provide protection to the aircraft while work was being done or if it was intended to shield the aircraft from prying eyes. ![]() **Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies** A month later, that shroud had been removed, with imagery now clearly showing the twin struts associated with the radome mounting, as well as the clamshell fairings on the engine nacelles open for access. By September 8, 2024, there was a large tent erected at the rear of the aircraft and a slightly smaller one at the front, as well as screens alongside the rear fuselage, in an apparent effort to conceal whatever work was happening. ![]() *A view of the aircraft as of September 3, 2024. *Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies** ![]() *The modified Il-76 as it appeared on September 8, 2024. *Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies** ![]() *A closer view of the modified aircraft on September 8, 2024. *Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies** ![]() **Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies** Reportedly, as of November 2024, [the aircraft had been moved]() into a hangar adjacent to the compound and remained there until late February 2025, when it appeared outside the hangar with the radome mounted. Imagery from earlier this month clearly shows the radome itself mounted on top of the struts and the aircraft. Meanwhile, the aircraft has been towed onto a taxiway, its tail pointing toward one of the airport’s runways. These developments were first reported last week by [38 North,]() a website specializing in North Korea studies. ![]() *A wider view of the aircraft seen on March 14, 2025. *Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies** Immediately noticeable is the distinctive triangle design on top of the radome, similar to that [seen on certain Chinese AEW&C platforms](), but not on Russian ones. In Chinese applications, these kinds of radomes house three non-rotating phased array radars, which provide full 360-degree coverage. It could be that the North Korean design is inspired by this, or it could be that China provided technology or assistance. It’s also possible that the radome houses a different antenna array entirely. ![]() *02\_closer view of awacs plane\_sunan afld\_north korea\_14march2025\_wv2. *Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies* Wood, Stephen* As well as possible Chinese assistance, we have speculated in the past about whether Russia might be helping North Korea build its AEW&C jet. After all, the burgeoning military relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang could provide an opportunity for some kind of technology transfer. Some of the technologies from Russia’s [A-50 Mainstay](), or even the more advanced [A-50U](), could perhaps be supplied to North Korea in exchange for weapons and ammunition to be used by Russia in Ukraine. At this point, we simply don’t know whether China, Russia, or both might be involved in North Korea’s AEW&C aircraft. However, the Il-76 is a well-established platform for this type of application. As well as the A-50 and China’s [KJ-2000 Mainring](), AEW&C versions of the Candid are used by India and have, in the past, also been operated by [Iraq]() and [Iran](). ![]() *A side view of a standard Chinese KJ-2000, albeit with the serial number censored from the photo. *FYJS/via Chinese internet* A side view of a standard PLAAF KJ-2000, albeit with the serial number censored from the photo. *FYJS/via Chinese internet** Overall, however, an AEW&C aircraft may be a surprising addition to North Korea’s veteran air force, but it’s one that could make a good deal of sense, as *TWZ* has [explained in the past](): *“While it’s questionable to what degree more complex battle management and command and control functions could be mastered by North Korea, and hosted aboard an AEW&C aircraft, the ability to extend airborne radar coverage over considerable distances would be a great advantage, either providing prior warning of a potential attack from South Korea and/or tracking incoming aircraft and missiles during at least the opening moments of a conflict. The data it collects could also be shared with surface-to-air missile operators to help provide extra warning to enhance their operations. More importantly, it would provide a new tool for daily surveillance of North Korean and South Korean airspace and an avenue to learn to better perfect AEW&C capabilities.”* In particular, an aircraft of this type would provide a useful surveillance platform to detect [low-flying cruise missiles]() launched from South Korea. With indications that Seoul may be [considering fielding nuclear weapons](), an adequate means of detecting incoming cruise missiles would become even more important for North Korea. Another low-flying threat is provided by drones launched from South Korea, examples of which have, in the recent past, [been spotted flying over Pyongyang](). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsqO64Unw1c Ultimately, an airborne radar, as found in an AEW&C aircraft, provides a ‘look down’ capability that can spot aircraft, cruise missiles, or drones among the ground clutter and is far less restricted by high terrain compared to ground-based radars. No such radar was previously available to North Korea. On the other hand, there are no signs that North Korea is converting more than a single Il-76 for the AEW&C mission, which means this kind of coverage would be necessarily limited. The aircraft would also be a prime target for South Korea and the United States in a time of conflict with the North. With that in mind, its wartime role might be strictly limited and likely very short-lived. Instead, perhaps, it might have greater value for more routine operations, keeping tabs on movements over the border and providing valuable intelligence and day-to-day surveillance. All in all, the emergence of North Korea’s AEW&C system raises some interesting questions. With questions about the ability of North Korea’s military-industrial complex to develop a fully functioning system of this kind, it’s again not surprising that observers are wondering whether China and/or Russia might also be involved. For the time being, the program remains very much in the shadows and has not been disclosed by North Korea’s state-run media. Nevertheless, the recent imagery does at least provide some insight into the progress that’s now being made on North Korea’s AEW&C aircraft. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()