North Korea nears completion of first airborne early warning aircraft

North Korea appears to be nearing completion of its first airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, marking a significant upgrade for its air force, according to U.S.-based analysis website 38 North on March 4. The development is notable as North Korea “has not introduced new airborne capabilities in years,” the North Korea analysis website reported.

Commercial satellite images posted by 38 North show an Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft fitted with a large radome, parked next to a hangar at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport. A radome (short for “radar” and “dome”) is a protective, weatherproof enclosure for a radar antenna, shielding it from environmental damage while allowing radar signals to pass through.

The radome, captured in satellite images taken on March 4, sports a triangular design similar to those found on Chinese AEW aircraft, but not on U.S. or Russian models. 38 North assessed that this triangular marking indicates the placement of three non-rotating phased array radars, each covering a 120-degree sector for 360-degree surveillance.

While 38 North noted that this feature is common in Chinese AEW aircraft, they emphasized that this alone does not constitute conclusive evidence of direct Chinese support or involvement. However, 38 North stated that the presence of this radome on a North Korean IL-76 “suggests possible support or influence from China,” which uses similar radar systems.

Aircraft Modification and Timeline

The modified aircraft is believed to be one of three IL-76 planes previously operated as cargo aircraft by North Korea’s national carrier, Air Koryo. In October 2023, the aircraft was moved to a maintenance hangar, where a security fence was quickly built around it. By November 2023, photos showed early modification work on the fuselage, although the radome had not yet been mounted at that time.

Some experts speculate that if North Korea has simply mounted advanced radar technology onto a standard cargo aircraft, it may face significant operational limitations and may not function effectively as a fully capable AEW platform.

North Korea’s Military Advancements

North Korea has not officially acknowledged the development of an AEW aircraft or any related military aviation projects. However, since 2022, it has been actively developing reconnaissance aircraft, including drones and AEW systems.

In November 2023, North Korea also claimed to have successfully launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, Malligyong-1, into orbit. This indicates the regime’s increasing focus on enhancing its surveillance and early warning capabilities, likely to strengthen its military preparedness amid ongoing regional tensions.

By Mooyoung Lee   [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]