(Dan Tri) – With more than 1,300 aircraft of all types, the air force plays an important role in the defense and combat activities of the North Korean army, especially in the current context of escalating tensions.
The first air show in North Korean history
MiG-29 – one of the modern fighter aircraft of the Korean Air Force (Photo: Sofrep)
According to National Interest, the air force is probably the least dangerous branch of North Korea’s armed forces.
The Pentagon’s report to the US Congress on the current state of the North Korean military in 2015 said that the North Korean Air Force currently has more than 1,300 aircraft, mainly aircraft models produced during the Soviet era.
“Other missions of the Korean Air Force include infiltration, logistical support, transportation, reconnaissance, and tactical air support for ground forces.
Modern airplanes
Two female North Korean pilots control a MiG-21 fighter jet (rear) at the 2016 air show in Wonsan city, North Korea (Photo: AP)
The North Korean Air Force does not have many modern aircraft and the aircraft considered to be Pyongyang’s most modern is the Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrums with a number of about 35 aircraft.
“The most powerful fighters of the Korean Air Force are the MiG-29, which was purchased from the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, in addition to the MiG-23 and Su-25.
In addition to the above aircraft, the North Korean Air Force also owns approximately 20 Mil Mi-24 Hind combat helicopters.
“The North Korean Air Force also has several hundred helicopters used to transport soldiers and for ground attacks, mainly Mi-2/HOPLITE helicopters and some MD-500 helicopters.
Ancient planes
Leader Kim Jong-un inspects a North Korean fighter jet (Photo: Reuters)
In North Korea’s arsenal, there are still many ancient aircraft produced in the 1950s and 1960s, including Shenyang J-5 and Shenyang J-6 aircraft.
According to National Interest, North Korea’s J-5 and J-6 aircraft are all outdated vehicles and if deployed in campaigns, they will also become `bait` for fighters as well as military aircraft.
If war breaks out and a North Korean J-5 plane crosses South Korean airspace to attack a target in that country, the US-South Korean allies will have to find a way to shoot it down.
Thus, if North Korea loses a J-5 aircraft, the US and South Korea will also have to spend 6 million USD to shoot down this aircraft, and at the same time lose a number of missiles that can be used to intercept threats.
Success
According to National Interest
Nick John