Overview
North Korea is one of the most secretive countries in the world. Little is known about the country’s military, politics and economics. However, one thing that is known is that North Korea has a large number of MiG-29 fighters, which it acquired in the late-1990s. The MiG-29 is a combat aircraft widely used by the Russian military and those of several other countries. This article will look at the number of MiG-29s North Kang has and some of the reasons why it may have acquired them.
Acquisition
North Korea has been known to acquire military equipment from a variety of sources. According to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies conducted in 2009, North Korea had acquired over 200 MiG-29 fighters from Belarus. It is possible that North Korea has acquired additional MiG-29s from other countries such as Russia, Ukraine and China.
To date, North Korea is estimated to have up to 240 MiG-29s in its arsenal. The exact number is difficult to verify as North Korea does not typically release publicly available information about its arsenal. However, researchers and experts have either visited or used satellite imagery to glean an estimate of the country’s military capabilities.
Capabilities
The MiG-29 is a twin-engine, multimission fighter aircraft which was designed and manufactured by MiG Corporation to counter other advanced fighters such as the F-15. It has superior range, speed and combat capabilities when compared to the F-15.
According to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2014, “the MiG-29 has a maximum speed of Mach 2.3 and a range of 2,000 nautical miles with three external fuel tanks. The aircraft is equipped with up to 6 air-to-air missiles and has an onboard radar ranging capacity of 40 miles for target identification and acquisition.” Additionally, the MiG-29s in North Korea’s arsenal may have also been outfitted with other weapons such as anti-ship missiles, which could pose a serious threat to South Korea.
Strategy
It is likely that North Korea acquired MiG-29 aircraft as a deterrent to the United States and its allies in the region, particularly South Korea. The MiG-29s could be used to intercept any potential threats and could also be deployed for air-to-ground strikes.
Threats
Despite North Korea’s elaborate defense system, the MiG-29s may not be a match for more advanced aircrafts such as the F-35 or the F-22. The U.S. Air Force has stated that due to their advanced electronics and avionics, their fifth-generation aircrafts are capable of detecting and engaged potential MiG-29 threats from long distances. Therefore, the MiG-29s may not provide the defense system and deterrence that North Korea desires.
State of Affairs
Despite the apparent dangers of the MiG-29s, North Korea has not yet decided to deploy the aircrafts. This is likely due to the fact that North Korea is unlikely to attempt a full-scale military attack on South Korea or the United States. However, this could change at any time, as North Korea has shown a willingness to use its capabilities to threaten its enemies.
Domestic Use
In addition to providing a defensive buffer, North Korea is also likely to use the MiG-29s for domestic purposes. North Korean state media has reported that citizens have been given the opportunity to take joy flights on MiG-29s as a celebration of leadership anniversaries.
Furthermore, the North Korean government has also experimented with ‘Supersonic Flight’ (SFT) – where pilots wearing air pressure suits fly at high speeds for a few minutes. This is usually done to demonstrate North Korean technological ability. In order to achieve SFTs, high-performing aircrafts such as MiG-29s must be used.
Arms Race
The addition of MiG-29s to North Korea’s arsenal is a major concern for South Korea. The South Korean government has since responded by increasing its own defense spending and purchasing high-performance aircrafts such as the F-35. This has raised fears of a possible arms race in the region.
Experts have warned that the arms race could lead to an escalation of tensions in the region, as neither side is willing to back down. Consequently, South Korea has called for cooperation between the two countries.
Reaction
The news of North Korea’s acquisition of MiG-29s has been met with concern from the international community. The United States and other Western countries have condemned North Korea for its attempts to build up its military capabilities in the region.
However, North Korean officials have maintained that the MiG-29s are for defensive purposes only, and that the country has no intention of using them for any aggressive actions.
Sanctions
In response to North Korea’s increased military spending, the United Nations has imposed a variety of economic sanctions on the country. These sanctions include restrictions on exports and imports of weapons and military equipment, as well as a ban on the sale or transfer of dual-use items.
The sanctions have had a major impact on North Korea’s ability to acquire weapons and military equipment. Consequently, it is likely that North Korea’s MiG-29 fleet may soon become outdated, given the new sanctions and advances in military technology.
Modernization
Despite the sanctions, North Korea is still looking to modernize its military capabilities. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Defense, the North Korean government is looking to purchase more advanced aircraft such as the MiG-35 or the Sukhoi Su-35.
It is possible that North Korea may look to upgrade its existing MiG-29s instead of replacing them with more advanced aircrafts. This could include modernizing the onboard avionics and radar systems and incorporating additional weapons.
Analysis
It is unclear whether North Korea will be able to effectively utilize its MiG-29s for defensive or offensive operations. While the aircraft has superior combat capabilities, its usefulness is limited by the fact that it is no match for the more advanced fifth-generation aircrafts.
Furthermore, North Korea’s ability to modernize or upgrade its fleet is also hindered by economic sanctions. Therefore, it is likely that the MiG-29s will become obsolete in the near future and North Korea will find it increasingly difficult to maintain its defensive capabilities.
