North Korea appears to have developed a low-cost “cardboard suicide drone” that is difficult to detect by radar.
North Korea’s state-run KCNA announced on November 21 that the “Defense Development-2024” military equipment exhibition had opened in Pyongyang. This event follows last year’s exhibition, which was held in July with Russian military delegation in attendance.
At this year’s exhibition, at least six types of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were identified.
One of the drones presented was a new design previously shown in blurred images during a North Korean report on October 15, when it was depicted attacking a BMW sedan.
At this event, the drone was displayed in clear detail. Military analyst and People’s Power Party lawmaker Yoo Yong-won assessed that one of the drones showcased was likely the much-discussed cardboard suicide drone.
Yoo’s office highlighted that the drone features wings and a fuselage held together by rubber bands, a hallmark of cardboard drones. “This development demonstrates North Korea’s pursuit of what can be called the ultimate cost-effective weapon system,” the office stated.
Cardboard drones, which are manufactured both domestically and internationally, have already been deployed in combat, notably in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces used such drones to target Russian military airfields, destroying MiG-29 and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets as well as air defense systems.
North Korea’s cardboard drones reportedly have the capability to incinerate vehicles completely. Despite their destructive power, each drone costs only a few million Korean won (a few thousand U.S. dollars), making operational losses minimal.
If deployed in large swarms for purposes such as assassination or destroying key military assets, these drones could pose a significant threat to South Korean forces. “The ultra-low-cost suicide drones could enable swarm attacks that overwhelm defenses,” Yoo’s office explained, adding that these drones are challenging to detect or intercept with radar systems.
North Korea also showcased drones resembling Israel’s HAROP and HERO loitering munitions. These drones were first revealed in August, during a performance test where images were similarly obscured.
Yoo’s office further analyzed the “North Korean HAROP,” suggesting it likely has a flight range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and is being developed for long-range precision strikes, potentially aimed at neutralizing air defense radars.
BY JAESUNG BAE, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
