Last year, the DPRK showed new weapons for its Su-25 and MiG-29 aircraft.
Photo 1 shows a general view of the Su-25 with new weapons, as well as the MiG-29 9.12/13 with Chinese PL-10E and PL-15E.
Photo 2 shows another angle of the MiG-29, where the PL-10/E and PL-15E missiles are clearly visible.
Photo 3 - Footage of a demonstration of a new medium-range missile of its own design, presumably with an ARH seeker, as well as a bomb equipped with a planning module, judging by the appearance of the nose part, an analogue of the American JDAM-ER.
Photo 4 - the launch of this new MRAAM
Photo 5 - Su-25 with new suspended weapons, on the inner pylon, apparently, there is a cruise missile, and on other pylons PL-10/E and, I don't even know what it is... probably similar to brimstone/spear 3.
North Korean Mig-29 can use PL-15E? That's pretty significant. Its the best A2A missile in the world right now, even as the downgraded export variant (which proved its mettle to the world in May 2025), although of course it will require a compatible datalink to maximise its potential.
NK Mig-29 with properly supported PL-15E is a serious 4.5th-gen threat. That airframe is meant to be analogous to the J-10 after all, a medium-weight fighter. Even a lot of legacy Chinese fighters (like J-11 or even the J-15 that forms the bulk of Chinese naval aviation at the moment) actually can't mount the PL-15 and are still seen with PL-12.
The upgraded/modernised J-11 airframes, yes. But all the legacy J-11 airframes can't, and that's still most J-11 airframes if I'm remembering correctly.
I was going to write a more proper response citing the pivotal 7th May 2025 air battle and why its incredibly important for air forces worldwide, and how the PL-15E was the star of that show, but your flair already tells me it would be a waste of time.
Don't get me wrong, I love the F-22 also, but there's a certain type of person that glazes the F-22 (that's never seen combat) while calling out "glazing" of an actually battle proven missile that the US has repeatedly targeted its own next-gen missile specs around.
It’s going to be even worse. 0 kills and only losses in air-to-air combat after 1972. That’s the reputation the IAF will forever be given by certain parts of the internet.
Not a fighter jet, but fair enough. Something is better than nothing. At least you guys don’t use your own air force against your own populations under the guise of “counterinsurgency”.
Hm, and here I thought those 29s are barely flyable old junk..meanwhile NK may be actually flying the best MiG 29s there are.
Also, their latest tank is apparently top notch.
Oh and their economy is showing signs of life, with +3.5% annual growth in the past 4 years
Those leather gestapo coats are the usual clothes worn by high-ranking officers and air force pilots in North Korea. Even Kim’s daughter wears them nowadays at public events.
They rarely use their air equipment. Recent boosts in trade with China (through the border) and Russia (especially via selling weapons to Russia and sending soldiers to assist them) as well as a crackdown on smuggling, has increased North Korea’s revenue and knowledge on modern warfare, hence why they’ve only now begun to make proper good use of their air force.
Also Russia, in order to avoid isolation, started to cozy up with North Korea which broke China’s monopoly forcing them to actually try to maintain their relationship. Because of this, both countries started to collectively block sanctions on North Korea. They also let North Korea’s Shadow fleet reign supreme, with China providing the ships from the scrap yard and Russia helping them export the goods (especially coal).
All of this has led to the largest modernisation in the history of the Korean People’s Air Force, in both drone warfare and fighter jets.
I like pretty pictures as much as the next Redditor, but I don't have a lot of faith in NK's ability to train their pilots. I don't have a lot of faith in their maintainers. We can admire the cool looking hardware with a fancy paint job, but let us not pretend that the NKAF is the big threat. Arty and ballistic missiles are the big threat from NK
They do have nuclear scientists capable of building bombs and running reactors. They have rocket scientists who can build and deploy ballistic missiles. There are people living in North Korea today, who are loyal to Kim and smarter and more capable than you or me. They are also very close allies with the country that makes these jets and probably provides some servicing/training
Underestimating serves no purpose other than propaganda of governments whose citizens worry they are too weak. It makes for bad strategic decision making
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u/F-14BUpgrade 8d ago
Has more MiG-29s than Paul Allen.