On March 27, 2025, North Korea publicly revealed its first airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft at the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology Complex and the Detection and Electronic Warfare Research Group. During the visit, Kim Jong-un boarded and inspected a modified Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft outfitted with a radar dome, indicating its role as an AEW&C platform. The event coincided with performance tests of newly developed unmanned reconnaissance drones and suicide drones equipped with artificial intelligence. Read full defense news at this link...
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| The AEW&C aircraft, converted from one of three Il-76MD cargo aircraft originally operated by the national airline Air Koryo, has been under modification since October 2023 at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport. (Picture source: KCNA) |