North Korea begins mass drone production with Russian parts

North Korea has commenced mass production of attack drones, a development driven by technical exchanges with Russia, The New York Times reported on Friday. The newspaper stated that Moscow is transferring military data and components to Pyongyang in return for soldiers, laborers, and weaponry.

The two nations deepened their military cooperation after Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since that time, North Korea has used Russian assistance to modernize its armed forces and equipment.

In early October, Pyongyang tested a tactical ballistic missile designed to carry a nuclear warhead. South Korea and Japan estimated the missile traveled approximately 700 kilometers, while North Korea claimed a range of 1,000 kilometers.

South Korea responded to the test by firing its own hypersonic ballistic missile for the first time, five days after the North Korean launch. President Lee Jae Myung observed the test. The New York Times described the move as a sign that Seoul is increasingly concerned about the rapid advancement of North Korea's missile technology.

Analyst Anton Ponomarenko said that access to Russian deployment data has helped North Korea improve the accuracy and maneuverability of its weapons. He described the threat to South Korea as more substantial as a result.

Russia has also aided North Korea in building unmanned systems for large-scale production. The New York Times noted that Pyongyang has observed in Ukraine and the Middle East how inexpensive drones can overwhelm expensive air defense systems. During a drill last month, North Korean forces used a drone swarm to attack a target island while cruise and ballistic missiles struck from different directions simultaneously.

This expansion follows reports that up to 25,000 North Korean citizens are working at Russian military plants, including drone facilities in Alabuga, Tatarstan, according to Bloomberg. A North Korean missile unit equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers has also begun deploying in western Russia. North Korea previously tested a modernized 240mm multiple-launch rocket system, a tactical ballistic missile, and a 155mm long-range artillery shell in June 2026.