Pyongyang, May 17 (UNI) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged the country’s armed forces to bolster war preparedness, as he supervised a large-scale air defence and strike drill by the Korean People's Army (KPA).
According to a report by its state-owned-media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim inspected the Guards 1st Air Division during exercises conducted on May 15, reports Xinhua. The manoeuvres were designed to test the readiness of anti-aircraft forces and air units in defending against modern aerial threats—including cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The exercises brought together a wide range of military branches, including fighter pilots, surface-to-air missile batteries, radar operators and electronic warfare units. The drills focused on detecting, tracking, and neutralising incoming threats, particularly low-flying cruise missiles and self-destructing drones.
North Korean aircraft also carried out strike simulations on designated targets, while a new long-range precision glide bomb was reportedly tested as part of the operation.
Kim, who serves as General Secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs Commission, stressed the importance of realistic combat training. He said the drills offered valuable experience to air defence personnel and fighter pilots, helping them adapt to the demands of modern aerial warfare.
"The assessment of air defence forces’ combat capability is crucial," Kim said, according to Strait Times.
He called for the armed forces to initiate a “breakthrough in war preparation”, instructing military leaders to step up the development of air weapon systems and integrated electronic warfare capabilities, including anti-drone technologies.
The high-profile inspection comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as Pyongyang continues to ramp up its weapons development amid international sanctions.
The country has conducted a series of missile tests in recent months, leading to increased military coordination between South Korea, the US and Japan.
Kim’s focus on strengthening electronic warfare and UAV countermeasures underscores the regime's growing concern over the evolving nature of aerial threats—and its determination to meet them head-on.
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