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One of the state media outlet's photos shows Kim Kong Un inspecting two loitering munitions—although the aircrafts' bodies are heavily pixelated.
SINGAPORE—North Korea has unveiled a portfolio of loitering munitions—a newfound capability following warming ties with Russia.
State media KCNA released images of leader Kim Jong Un visiting the Drone Institute of the Academy of Defense Sciences on Aug. 24, where he was shown the capabilities of at least two loitering munitions.
The photographs show two unnamed loitering uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), both heavily pixelated. One bears a strong resemblance to the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Harop and Iranian Omid, with a special delta-wing configuration, and the other features a more conventional cross-wing design akin to the Russian ZALA Lancet munition.
However, the electro-optic payload for each aircraft appears to be rudimentary when compared to their Russian and Israeli counterparts.
Another photograph shows the Lancet lookalike destroying a mockup of a South Korean K2 main battle tank.
Kim has called for the "proactive introduction" of artificial intelligence technology into the development of UAS. He has also pointed to the need for more testing, saying they must equip the North Korean Army units with the capability "as early as possible."
It is unclear if the loitering munition capability has appeared as a result of technology transfer from Russia. President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in late June, which saw both countries signing defense cooperation deals.
Western countries say they have evidence of North Korean missiles being used against Ukraine, although both Moscow and Pyongyang refute that claim.
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