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N. Korea claims major advances in anti-drone defense after joint military exercises
North Korean military and intelligence agencies have declared their recent joint electronic warfare exercises a success, strengthening their radar detection and jamming capabilities along the Chinese and South Korean borders.
According to a source recently, North Korea’s Ministry of State Security presented these findings to radar bureau department heads on Dec. 9 in an analytical summary of the exercises. The report highlighted enhanced cooperation between the ministry’s radar bureau and electronic warfare specialists from the Korean People’s Army’s (KPA) General Staff Department, particularly in countering potential drone incursions.
Analysts noted that data collected during the exercises helped optimize radar jamming equipment and improved command-and-control efficiency for real-time information sharing between the ministry and military. The ministry emphasized that this first-ever joint exercise involving the radar bureau marked significant progress in real-time frequency detection and jamming using new equipment, claiming a 30% average improvement in response time to enemy drone incursions.
The exercises, which appear to be a direct response to an alleged South Korean drone incursion of Pyongyang, signal the regime’s intent to strengthen coordination between its military and intelligence agencies while upgrading electronic warfare countermeasures. North Korea now plans to conduct such exercises regularly to maintain and improve its technical capabilities.
“The ministry is reviewing options to acquire additional electronic warfare equipment and expand the radar bureau’s role,” the source said. “These proposals will be presented at the party’s year-end plenary session.” The ministry is already developing plans to enhance electronic warfare and information warfare countermeasures for the coming year, citing potential future drone incursions by South Korea and other adversaries.
“The ministry likely aims to centralize electronic warfare countermeasures under state control while upgrading military capabilities and technological advantages,” the source added.
The joint exercises, held from Nov. 6 to 18, involved technical specialists from both the ministry’s radar bureau and the KPA General Staff Department’s radar and electronic warfare bureau. Operations were conducted across six strategic locations: Hoeryong in North Hamgyong province, Pochon in Ryanggang province, Wiwon county in Jagang province, Sinuiju in North Pyongan province, Chorwon county in Kangwon province, and Pyongsan county in North Hwanghae province.
daily nk