North Korean Air Force

Latest in North Korean Air Force

Celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Korean People’s Air Force (KPAF) provided an apparent first look at three new types of air-launched weapon, intended to arm the KPAF’s Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack aircraft, and potentially others. The event also yielded a better look at the country’s ‘copycat’ drones, the Saetbyol-4 and Saetbyol-9 that are almost exact visual copies of the U.S.-made RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper, respectively.

North Korean Air Force

Analyzing North Korea’s New Air-Launched Guided Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 2, 2025

North Korea's shadowy airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, based on a Russian Il-76 Candid cargo aircraft, has flown.

North Korean Air Force

First North Korean Airborne Early Warning Jet Flies, Kim Shows Off Interior

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 26, 2025

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.

North Korean Air Force

Our Best Look At North Korea’s New Early-Warning Radar Plane

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 14, 2025

North Korea is set to receive MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft from Russia in return for Pyongyang having sent thousands of troops to fight in Moscow’s war in Ukraine. This is the assessment of the commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), after much speculation about the nature of the support that might be headed to North Korea to reward that country for its growing military backing of Russia. The prospect of fighter aircraft being transferred by Russia is something that TWZ has discussed in the past.

North Korean Air Force

Russia Giving North Korea MiG-29s And Su-27s Isn’t That Straightforward

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

South Korean F-15K

North Korean Air Force

Seoul Scrambles 30 Fighters After North Korean Jets Approach Border

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 6, 2022

North Korea Trades Missiles For Militias At Its Latest Parade

North Korean Air Force

North Korea Trades Missiles For Militias At Its Latest Parade

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 9, 2021

Kim Jong Un Oversees Huge Gathering Of His Country’s Antiquated Air Combat Force

North Korean Air Force

Kim Jong Un Oversees Huge Gathering Of His Country’s Antiquated Air Combat Force

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Nov 16, 2019

Here’s What You Missed From Last Night’s Big North Korean Military Parade

North Korean Air Force

Here’s What You Missed From Last Night’s Big North Korean Military Parade

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 8, 2018

This Is What North Korea’s First Air Show Looked Like

North Korean Air Force

This Is What North Korea’s First Air Show Looked Like

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 27, 2016