North Korea's new drones: Blatant copies of Israeli tech
North Korea showcased tests of two new drones. Military observers and analysts believe that their designers have once again decided to copy solutions known from other countries.
Kim Jong Un's regime, with Kim Jong Un present at the presentation, consistently tries to remind us that the North Korean defense industry is working at full capacity and systematically delivers new weapons to the army. However, the prepared designs often turn out to be copies of constructions from other countries. This strategy is very evident in the matter of drones, especially in recent months.
North Korea copies Israeli drones
Information about the work on the Saetbyol-4 and Saetbyol-9 drones, which are visual copies of the well-known and valued American RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper, appeared in January this year. The newly shown photos indicate that North Korea has two more new drones, this time copies of Israeli designs, also referred to as loitering munitions.
The first North Korean drone is remarkably similar to the IAI Harop produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The original measures 8 feet in length and has a wingspan of 10 feet. It can stay in the air for a maximum of 6 hours and carry a warhead weighing 51 pounds.
The second drone showcased by the Kim Jong Un regime was initially compared to Russian Lancets, but it looks more like a copy of the Hero 400 from UVision Air, another Israeli company. The Hero 400 is equipped with an 18-pound warhead. Its range is about 93 miles, and it can stay airborne for 2 hours.
How does North Korea have Israeli drones?
As with copying American drones, two main questions arise: How does North Korea have Israeli drones, and were they able to copy more than just the appearance?
Successfully launching drones into the air does not confirm that their performance is similar to the originals. The North Korean news agency did not reveal the names or characteristics of the new drones in its statement.
There are suggestions that the IAI Harop and Hero 400 reached North Korea from the Middle East. Instances of them being shot down over places like Lebanon have been recorded. Hezbollah, which is supported and financed by Iran, has its headquarters there. Iran, alongside North Korea, is among Russia's biggest allies.
