Pyongyang (The COW News Digital) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for expanding the country’s drone capabilities and accelerating the development of artificial intelligence for military applications, highlighting Pyongyang’s growing focus on advanced technologies in modern warfare.
According to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim attended an advanced drone and aviation technology exhibition in the capital, Pyongyang, on Thursday. The event showcased developments in the country’s unmanned aerial systems and highlighted plans to strengthen the technological capabilities of its armed forces.
The exhibition featured several categories of drones, including strategic, operational and multipurpose systems, as well as attack drones designed to strike designated targets. The displays reflected North Korea’s efforts to incorporate unmanned technology into its military strategy and expand its range of modern weapons.
Addressing the exhibition, Kim stressed that maintaining superiority in drone technology had become increasingly important as the nature of warfare continued to evolve. He urged scientists and engineers to accelerate research and development in drone systems and artificial intelligence, particularly technologies intended to support national defence.
Kim also reiterated his position that military strength was essential for maintaining peace. His remarks underscored the North Korean leadership’s emphasis on strengthening military capabilities amid continuing regional security tensions.
The exhibition included demonstrations of several weapons systems. According to KCNA, tactical attack drones and multipurpose unmanned aircraft were presented alongside air-to-ground missiles launched from multipurpose drones. Tactical cruise missiles were also demonstrated during the event, with the systems shown striking designated targets.
Another notable feature was the public demonstration of a 600-millimetre ultra-precision multiple rocket launcher, reportedly named the Sniper. The launcher was presented as part of the exhibition’s broader display of advanced weapons and military technology.
The demonstrations highlighted North Korea’s interest in integrating different weapons platforms and expanding the operational roles of unmanned systems. Drones can be used for surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strikes, making them an increasingly prominent feature of contemporary military operations.
The growing importance of drone warfare has been demonstrated in several recent international conflicts, where relatively inexpensive unmanned systems have been used alongside conventional weapons. Artificial intelligence is also attracting greater military interest because of its potential applications in target recognition, navigation and battlefield decision-making.
However, the operational capabilities and performance of the systems displayed in Pyongyang could not be independently verified from the information provided by North Korean state media.
The exhibition comes as North Korea continues to emphasise military modernisation and the development of advanced weapons. Pyongyang has repeatedly highlighted technological innovation as a central component of its defence strategy.
Kim’s latest remarks suggest that drone development and military artificial intelligence will remain important priorities for the country. The extent to which the displayed technologies will be deployed operationally, and how they might affect regional military balances, remains to be seen.
