North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a large-scale air defense and airstrike training exercise, calling on the entire military to maintain a heightened state of readiness.
During the event, a new air-to-air missile was publicly displayed for the first time.
According to a report released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 17, Kim visited a flight regiment under the 1st Air Division on May 15 to supervise the exercise.
He stated that “all units of the armed forces must bring about a fundamental transformation in war readiness by maintaining a constant state of alert and operational readiness.”
KCNA described the training as aimed at improving the military’s ability to “detect, track, and destroy hostile cruise missiles and suicide drones.” The exercise involved flight squadrons, surface-to-air missile units, radar teams, and electronic warfare elements tasked with blinding and destroying incoming unmanned aerial threats.
During the drill, North Korea showcased a new guided air-to-air missile. While the weapon’s official designation and technical specifications have not been disclosed, observers noted that the missile’s design suggests it may have a range of up to 100 kilometers — potentially exceeding the performance of current missiles in the North’s inventory.
The system is reportedly intended to counter modern fighter aircraft fielded by South Korea, with a design focused on extending engagement range and improving interception capability.