North Korea develops its own AWACS jet

[Zarvan]

North Korea develops its own AWACS jet​

NEWSAVIATION
ByDylan Malyasov

Dec 16, 2023
Modified date: 1 day ago



Russian A-100 plane

Recent satellite image analysis by Decker Eveleth from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies indicates that North Korea might be converting an Il-76 aircraft into an airborne early warning and control system (AWACS)

The observations point towards the modification of a North Korean Il-76 transport aircraft at Pyongyang International Airport, suggesting a possible conversion into an airborne early warning and control system (AWACS) or airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft.

Eveleth highlighted that the Il-76 aircraft is already utilized by Russia as a primary platform for AWACS and AEW functions. The Russians also employ this platform for telemetry during missile tests, underscoring its multi-faceted utility.


Despite these observations, there’s currently no direct evidence indicating that Russia has transferred this sophisticated technology to North Korea. Such a development, if confirmed, could signal a significant leap in North Korea’s radar capabilities. Eveleth noted that for North Korea, venturing into AWACS technology would be a substantial endeavor, given the current state of their radar technology.

What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is that North Korea appears to be dedicating one of its few Il-76 aircraft to this potential transformation. The Il-76 holds a critical role in North Korea’s limited transport fleet, indicating the significance and priority assigned to this modification.

However, the assessment remains preliminary, and without further evidence, conclusions about the actual nature of the modifications and North Korea’s intent remain speculative.

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Executive Editor
About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

https://defence-blog.com/north-korea-develops-its-own-awacs-jet/

 

[Kingfisher]

What will they do with it when they don't have any air assets to vector ?

It'll be shot down within a few fleeting moments of it even sniffing some enemy air.

Unless they're absolute geniuses like the Indian Air Force who use maritime patrol air to snoop on land installations etc.

They've taken Seoul hostage at knife point but, and for that reason only inka kuch kar bhi ni sakta koi (uncle Sam)

 

[Zarvan]

What will they do with it when they don't have any air assets to vector ?

It'll be shot down within a few fleeting moments of it even sniffing some enemy air.

Unless they're absolute geniuses like the Indian Air Force who use maritime patrol air to snoop on land installations etc.

They've taken Seoul hostage at knife point but, and for that reason only inka kuch kar bhi ni sakta koi (uncle Sam)

The way they are helping Russia. Their Air Assets problem is going to get resolved really soon.

 

[Kingfisher]

The way they are helping Russia. Their Air Assets problem is going to get resolved really soon.

bring me up to speed please

what help might they have provided Russia ?

saara inka (DPRK elites ka) khaana peena Russia Siberian train route se aata hai

they are kind of the attack/guard dog for the Sino-Russian combine against the 7th fleet

bhai, Zarvan.. aap Andrei Lankov ki books read kro, samjho, is hermit kingdom (which is what it is) ko

 

[Zarvan]

bring me up to speed please

what help might they have provided Russia ?

saara inka (DPRK elites ka) khaana peena Russia Siberian train route se aata hai

they are kind of the attack/guard dog for the Sino-Russian combine against the 7th fleet

bhai, Zarvan.. aap Andrei Lankov ki books read kro, samjho, is hermit kingdom (which is what it is) ko

MRLs, Missiles, and other systems.

 

[Kingfisher]

MRLs, Missiles, and other systems.

Sino-Soviet derivatives

Purana maal

Effective systems, but aaj kal counter counter measures ka zamana hai.

 

[Zephyrus]

Zarvan Bhai i wouldn't get my hopes up.

 

[Zarvan]

Sino-Soviet derivatives

Purana maal

Effective systems, but aaj kal counter counter measures ka zamana hai.

Fired in numbers it gets really difficult to counter them

Zarvan Bhai i wouldn't get my hopes up.

For what?

 

[Waz]

Russian help by the looks of it. The North Koreans have been supplying ammo stocks and other arms.

 

[RescueRanger]

North Korea is a perfect example of where a nation is so insular that it forsakes the prosperity of its own people over brandishing the bigger sword.