North Korea has ordered its air force to conduct combat training for a new fighter-drone operational doctrine.
A source in the North Korean military told Daily NK recently that the Korean People’s Army’s General Staff Department has adopted hybrid tactics involving manned aircraft and unmanned drones as a new strategy for the air force.
On May 5, the Korean People’s Army Air Force leadership and its subordinate units received training manuals outlining how manned aircraft will probe enemy antiaircraft networks and create disruption while drones will conduct reconnaissance and execute kamikaze attacks. The air force was also ordered to conduct live combat exercises in Songrim and Kilju.
Songrim, a city in North Hwanghae province, provides ideal conditions for simulating various operational scenarios due to its rugged terrain and rapidly changing weather.
Kilju county in North Hamgyong province was selected for long-range coastal strike exercises because of its east coast location.
Two specialized drone units have been established: the 192 Special Comprehensive Drone Training Center in Songrim and the Sixth Tactical Drone Battalion in Kilju.
The General Staff Department has designated these locations as testing grounds for hybrid strike tactics and assigned them key roles in the upcoming exercises.
The North Korean air force faces significant strategic disadvantages, including aging aircraft, limited operational range, and lack of precision-guided weapons.
These limitations apparently inspired the hybrid tactics approach, where inexpensive but efficient autonomous drones operate alongside manned fighter aircraft. North Korea aims to use this combined operation of manned and unmanned aircraft to offset its inferior air power and enhance its effective military capability.
As part of this initiative, at least five live combat exercises integrating manned aircraft, reconnaissance drones, and suicide drones are scheduled for May at the 192 Special Comprehensive Drone Training Center in Songrim. These exercises will incorporate joint tactics similar to those used by the Russian air force. North Korean troops will also test drones’ automatic self-destruct capabilities when communications are lost.
The Sixth Tactical Drone Battalion in Kilju plans to practice operations involving older fighters paired with drones to address gaps in air force capabilities. These drills will focus on improving drone operator skills to reduce fighter aircraft losses and pilot casualties.
“The General Staff Department has ordered these exercises to continue beyond May, emphasizing command stability and joint operations between manned aircraft and drones. Lower-level units interpret this as a sign that drones are being prepared for frontline combat deployment,” the source said.
“While hybrid strike tactics for manned and unmanned aircraft clearly represent a strategic attempt to strengthen our air force with limited resources, airmen note that several challenges remain, including improving drone reliability, conducting regular training, and developing communication and command systems that allow fighter pilots to control drones,” the source added.
