North Korea is set to export military drones to U.S. adversaries like Iran amid intensified production efforts. Despite international sanctions, Pyongyang employs sophisticated methods to evade detection, including shipping components separately and leveraging cryptocurrencies. The implications for global security and enforcement responses by the U.N. are uncertain.
North Korea is reportedly preparing to supply military drones to U.S. adversaries, including Iran and various proxy groups. This move comes amidst heightened military drone production efforts by Pyongyang, defying ongoing international sanctions designed to hinder its arms trade. Newsweek attempted to contact the North Korean embassy in China for comments regarding these developments.
In November, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un mandated the initiation of large-scale drone production to bolster relationships with limited international allies and generate foreign currency. The nation has developed sophisticated evasion tactics to circumvent U.N. sanctions aimed at its nuclear and missile programs. Reports indicate that Russia may be among the first recipients, having already received munitions from North Korea to aid its invasion of Ukraine.
According to a high-ranking North Korean official cited by Daily NK, exports were inspected starting March 7, with approvals leading to immediate shipments to various countries, including Iran, Syria, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and militant groups in Africa. Drones are produced in North Pyongan Province, with designs including reconnaissance and loitering suicide UAVs.
To remain discreet, the North Korean government reportedly plans to ship drone components in separate shipments via different routes to be assembled later. They are utilizing cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum for untraceable transactions and are employing front companies to obscure payment processes.
Vann Van Diepen, a former U.S. State Department expert on weapons of mass destruction, suggests that while North Korea may aim to compete on pricing, it is uncertain whether its drones, specifically the Saetbyol-4 and -9, would be technically competitive enough against established non-Western suppliers.
The reaction of the U.N. and regional enforcement bodies, including the United States, to these shipments remains unclear. However, Russia’s recent efforts to dismantle the U.N. sanctions review panel on North Korea could weaken enforcement measures, allowing Pyongyang greater leeway in its arms export endeavors.
In summary, North Korea is ramping up drone production and preparing to export military drones to various adversaries, notably including Iran and Russia. With sophisticated evasion strategies in place, the regime seeks to navigate international sanctions while potentially undermining global security. Experts express skepticism regarding the competitive capacity of North Korean drones, and the international community’s response to these developments remains to be seen.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
