North Korea starts mass drone production with Russian help
Pyongyang is expanding its attack drone capacity and improving missile accuracy, a shift that prompted South Korea to test a hypersonic weapon for the first time.
By Thomas Obasi ·
North Korea has begun mass-producing attack drones while refining its ballistic missile capabilities, a development driven by deepening cooperation with Russia. The New York Times reported that Moscow is sharing military technology with Pyongyang in exchange for soldiers, workers, and weapons. This partnership intensified after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting North Korea to modernize its armed forces with Russian assistance.
In early October, Pyongyang tested a tactical ballistic missile designed to carry a nuclear payload. South Korean and Japanese officials estimated the flight distance at approximately 700 kilometers, while North Korea claimed a range of 1,000 kilometers. Seoul responded by test-firing its own hypersonic ballistic missile five days later. This marked the first time South Korea has conducted such a test. President Lee Jae Myung observed the launch, a move the Times described as a sign of growing unease over North Korea's rapid missile progress.
Analyst Anton Ponomarenko stated that access to Russian deployment data and feedback has allowed North Korea to improve the accuracy and maneuverability of its weapons. Ponomarenko characterized the threat to South Korea as more substantial as a result. Russia has also assisted in building North Korea's unmanned systems, enabling large-scale production. The newspaper noted that Pyongyang has observed how inexpensive drones can overwhelm costly air defense systems in Ukraine and the Middle East.
During a military drill last month, North Korea simulated a combined attack on a target island. A swarm of drones struck the target while cruise and ballistic missiles hit it simultaneously from different directions. The report suggests these evolving tactics will force South Korea and its allies to redesign their air defenses at a high cost.
Other recent accounts detail the scope of the partnership. Bloomberg reported in September that Russia is using up to 25,000 North Korean citizens to produce military drones at facilities in Alabuga, Tatarstan. A North Korean missile forces unit, potentially equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers, has begun deploying in western Russia for possible strikes against Ukraine.
Ukrainska Pravda previously reported that Russia requested KN-30 ballistic missiles from North Korea in August. In June 2026, North Korea announced tests of a modernized 240mm multiple-launch rocket system, a tactical ballistic missile, and a 155mm long-range artillery shell. These recent tests align with the broader trend of equipment upgrades described in the New York Times report.
