North Korea Unveils New War Machine: Kim Jong Un’s New Drone Arsenal
North Korea has pulled back the curtain on its growing drone arsenal, putting drones at the center of its military ambitions. On Thursday, October 29, Kim Jong Un walked through a large unmanned aircraft exhibition. He called for “absolute superiority” in drone technology. At the center of the exhibition hall sat a tailless, flying-wing design aircraft that analysts describe as a stealth drone. The exhibition was followed by live weapons demonstrations.
Kim did not stop at drones. He also named artificial intelligence a top priority for unmanned weapons used in national defense, identifying artificial intelligence (AI) as a priority for developing unmanned weapons. His daughter, Ju-ae, and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, accompanied him during the visit. Meanwhile, tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. His sister, Kim Yo Jong, had earlier said propaganda loudspeakers would be activated along the border.
The Flying Wing That Stole the Show
The new aircraft flying-wing was placed at the front and center prominently in the exhibition hall. Photographs show a tailless design with a dorsal air intake and retractable tricycle landing gear. Its appearance has drawn comparisons with China’s GJ-11 Sharp Sword and Russia’s S-70 drones. However, the aircraft on display appears to be a mockup, there is also no independent evidence yet that it can fly.
The flying wing was just one star of a crowded show and wasn’t the only aircraft attracting attention. More than 30 types of drones were reportedly displayed, alongside hundreds of small quadcopters arranged on storage racks nearby. Kim also inspected an armed Saetbyol-9 and Switchblade-style loitering munitions. The Saetbyol-4 and Saetbyol-9 designs resemble the American RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper. However, independent information about their actual capabilities remains limited.
Live-Fire Tests Reveal North Korea’s Expanding Drone Focus
The exhibition also featured a series of live-fire demonstrations of suicide attack drones, tactical cruise missiles and multipurpose drones. A battalion of 600 mm rocket launchers was also fired during the event. Among them was the Sniper system, which was shown publicly for the first time. Images released from the demonstration showed a drone striking a military vehicle on a hill before exploding. South Korea’s military detected about 10 projectiles, including short-range ballistic missiles. However, the missile launches were separate from the exhibition demonstrations, despite occurring on the same day. South Korean intelligence estimates that North Korea has sent more than 16,000 personnel to Russia since October 2024. Those deployments have provided exposure to modern battlefield conditions, including drone operations, electronic warfare and combined-arms tactics.
North Korea’s latest display follows a clear timeline, highlighting several years of growing investment in unmanned weapons. Kim ordered mass production of suicide attack drones in November 2024. He then oversaw tests of AI-equipped versions in March 2025. By September 2025, he was describing AI as a priority for military modernization. Ultimately, the exhibition puts North Korea’s growing emphasis on drones and AI in clear view. The new flying-wing design has attracted attention, but its operational capabilities remain unproven. The wider display, including armed drones, loitering munitions and live-fire demonstrations, shows the range of systems Pyongyang is showcasing. For South Korea and its allies, North Korea’s expanding focus on unmanned warfare adds another dimension to an already tense security environment.
Web Resources on Kim’s Drone War Machine
1. CNN : Kim Jong Un’s new drone war machine.
2. News Cord : Kim Jong Un Calls For Absolute Superiority In Drone Warfare, Unveils Stealth-Style Drone.
3. Military Zone : What the new drones displayed by North Korea show about their commitment to unmanned war.