North Korea May Be Attempting to Convert Russian Transport Planes into Airborne Early Warning Aircraft: UK Think Tank
Seoul, South Korea – North Korea is suspected of attempting toconvert Russian-made Il-76 transport aircraft into airborne early warning (AEW) planes, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS),a UK-based think tank.
The IISS, in an analysis published on its website on September 16th, examined satellite imagery taken earlier this monthof an Il-76 parked at Pyongyang’s Sunan Airport. The analysis, conducted by defense analyst Joseph Dempsey, pointed to two vertical objects located on the rear of the aircraft’s main wing, which he believes could be radardome supports.
The shape, size, and position of these supports are similar to those found on the radar domes of Russian A-50U and A-100 AEW aircraft, as well as the Chinese KJ-2000 and Iraqi Adnan-2 AEW aircraft, all of which are based on the Il-76 platform, Dempsey noted.
North Korea acquired three Il-76 aircraft in the 1990s, initially used for cargo operations by Air Koryo, the country’s national airline. However, these aircraft also served military purposes. Last year, one of the Il-76s was moved to a fenced-off area within Sunan Airport, where it was covered with tarpaulin and a protective cover.
The latest satellite imagery, however, reveals that the cover has been removed, exposing thesuspected radar dome supports. Dempsey suggests that North Korea’s existing ground-based radar systems are inadequate for aerial surveillance, implying a potential reliance on Russian technical assistance for this project.
North Korea’s ground-based radar systems are not well-suited for aerial surveillance, so it is likely that they are seekingto develop an AEW capability, Dempsey explained. The presence of these suspected radar dome supports suggests that they may be attempting to convert an Il-76 into an AEW aircraft, possibly with Russian technical assistance.
The potential development of an AEW capability by North Korea would be a significant development, as it would significantly enhance the country’s ability to detect and track hostile aircraft. This could have implications for regional security, particularly for South Korea and its allies, who rely heavily on airpower for defense.
However, it is important to note that the IISS analysis is based on satellite imagery and circumstantial evidence. While the presence of the suspected radar dome supportsis suggestive, it does not definitively confirm that North Korea is attempting to build an AEW aircraft. Further evidence and confirmation from independent sources are needed to verify this claim.
Despite the uncertainties, the IISS analysis highlights the ongoing challenges posed by North Korea’s military modernization program. The country continues to invest in its military capabilities, seeking to enhance its deterrence and project power in the region. The potential development of an AEW capability would further complicate the security landscape in Northeast Asia and necessitate a reassessment of regional defense strategies.
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