(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In a large military parade in the South Korean city of Seoul last week, the South Korean military displayed mysterious stealth drones to the country’s public for the first time.
These stealth drones could provide South Korea with the capability to conduct ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions in North Korean airspace without being detected by their adversaries.
Certainly, their primary mission would be to enter and exit North Korea without being detected by the Pyongyang air defense system.
In addition to ISR missions, these stealth drones might also have the capability to carry out attack missions using their own weaponry or electronic attacks.
During the massive military parade in Seoul last week, the South Korean military “showcased” five of these stealth drones carried on 4×4 KIA Light Tactical Vehicles (KLTV).
Although there has been no official statement from the South Korean military about these stealth drones or their name, it is believed that they are called “Kaori-X,” developed by the Aerospace Division of Korea Air and conducted its maiden flight in 2015.
Not much is known about the performance of these South Korean stealth drones.
However, what can be observed is that the design of the Kaori-X is strikingly similar to the X-47B, a type of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) developed by Northrop Grumman for operations on aircraft carriers.
According to a South Korean researcher, at present, these stealth drones are primarily intended for ISR purposes, but it is not ruled out that their capabilities may be expanded in the future to include the ability to carry out attacks.
Nevertheless, North Korea is also enhancing its drone assets.
On September 1st, it established a Drone Command Center for its military, responsible for coordinating all activities of its drone assets, whether for defensive or offensive missions during peacetime or conflict.
It is also responsible for conducting ISR and electromagnetic and psychological operations at the tactical or operational level.
In addition to improving its unmanned aircraft assets, South Korea is enhancing its defenses to counter the growing threat of North Korean unmanned aircraft.
In July, North Korea, through its official media, unveiled two of its drones for the first time, which have designs similar to the “Global Hawk” and MQ-9 “Reaper” drones developed by the United States.
It is uncertain when North Korea developed these two drones, but two years ago, its leader, Kim Jong Un, ordered the country’s military to develop “attack drones” and “surveillance drones” with a range of up to 500 km.
Both North Korean drones were displayed to prominent figures, including Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, at a weapons and defense exhibition held in the capital, Pyongyang.
Information from inside North Korea suggests that these military serial-numbered drones have already undergone flight testing.
A drone resembling the MQ-9 Reaper of the United States is also equipped with guided munitions of an unknown type, but its design resembles the “Hellfire” guided munition made in America and commonly used by such drones.
Yang Uk, a military analyst at the Asan Institute in Seoul, was quoted by NK News as saying that North Korea’s imitation drones have the capability to carry six guided munitions similar to the “Hellfire.” — DSA
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