North Korea Advances Drone Warfare Capabilities With New Technologies

North Korea’s military is incorporating new drone technologies and operational practices, reflecting a broader shift in its approach to modern warfare as reported in recent analyses and satellite imagery.

Since April 2025, estimates indicate that between 11,000 and 15,000 North Korean troops have been stationed in Russia. These personnel have likely encountered advanced military techniques, including the use of drones, during their deployment.

North Korea has introduced several domestically developed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in recent years. The Saebyeol-4 surveillance drone was first presented in June 2023 and underwent a flight test in September 2025. The Saebyeol-9, a multipurpose attack drone, was initially observed in 2022 and made public in July 2023.

Testing and production activities for these UAVs have been concentrated at Panghyon Airbase. In March 2025, satellite images documented a test flight of a Saebyeol-4 variant at this location, which is recognized as a key site for North Korea’s strategic drone programs. Construction of a new drone factory near the airbase has also accelerated, supporting increased development efforts.

What the numbers show

• 11,000–15,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia since April 2025
• Saebyeol-4 surveillance UAV introduced on June 27, 2023
• Saebyeol-4 flight-tested on September 18, 2025
• Saebyeol-9 attack drone publicly revealed in July 2023
• Test flight of Saebyeol-4 variant observed in March 2025

North Korea’s drone and missile programs have benefited from technical cooperation with several countries. According to published reports, China, Russia, and Iran have all contributed to the rapid progress in these areas.

Plans for further technology transfer have also been reported. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence head stated in mid-2025 that Russia intends to provide North Korea with the capability to produce Shahed-series drones, a type of UAV with established use in other conflicts.

Frequent testing of new drone models and the expansion of manufacturing facilities suggest a continued focus on UAV development. Panghyon Airbase remains central to these activities, serving both as a test site and as a hub for production expansion.

These developments have been documented in a range of open-source reports and satellite analyses. The 38 North article “Drones and Operational Shift: North Korea’s Adaptation to a Changing Warfare Environment,” published in April 2026, provides a detailed overview of these trends and the operational changes underway in North Korea’s military.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.