Flash News: North Korea Tests Larger Saetbyol-4 Drone Resembling US Global Hawk Design.

North Korea appears to be making significant advancements in its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities, with the apparent testing of a larger, upgraded version of its Saetbyol-4 (SB-4) reconnaissance drone. According to a recent analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery by NK Pro, a new iteration of the Saetbyol-4 was spotted at Panghyon Airbase, located in North Korea's western region. The drone, which shows distinct design similarities to the U.S.-made RQ-4 Global Hawk, seems poised for an expanded role in reconnaissance and surveillance operations.
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Satellite image showing the construction of new drone hangars at Panghyon Airbase, likely in preparation for the deployment of the larger Saetbyol-4 drone.  (Picture source: Planet Labs, edited by NK Pro)

The satellite imagery, captured on January 22, 2025, by Planet Labs' SkySat system, reveals an aircraft with a significantly larger wingspan than the original Saetbyol-4. The new drone model has a wingspan of approximately 40 meters (131 feet), making it about 5 meters longer than the previously unveiled Saetbyol-4, which had a wingspan of around 35 meters (115 feet). This increased size suggests a potential for enhanced performance, including greater endurance, higher payload capacity, and longer operational range.

While North Korea has not officially confirmed these developments, the design similarities between the Saetbyol-4 and the U.S. Global Hawk are notable. Both drones feature a sleek, high-wing design with a large fuselage, optimized for high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance missions. The Saetbyol-4’s new iteration could serve as an answer to the U.S. and South Korean reconnaissance drones, as it would allow North Korea to expand its surveillance capabilities without relying on manned aircraft.

The recent imagery also reveals ongoing construction activities at Panghyon Airbase, including the building of new drone hangars. This suggests that North Korea is not only developing more advanced drone models but also accelerating preparations for their deployment in military operations. The construction of specialized hangars for UAVs indicates a serious commitment to integrating drones into its air force and enhancing its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The Saetbyol-4, first unveiled in 2023, was touted by North Korean state media as a long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance drone capable of conducting detailed surveillance over vast distances. The improved version currently being tested suggests that North Korea is aiming to refine its UAV technology for a more sophisticated role, potentially enabling more precise intelligence-gathering missions, as well as potential military applications.

The advancement of North Korea's UAV program, especially with the development of the Saetbyol-4 and its larger iteration, represents a significant step forward in the country’s technological capabilities. Drones have become a critical component of modern warfare, allowing for high-resolution surveillance without the need for piloted missions that expose operators to greater risks. This new drone model could offer North Korea enhanced surveillance over South Korea, Japan, and the broader Pacific region, thus raising concerns among neighboring countries and their allies.

The increase in drone production, along with the apparent expansion of UAV-related infrastructure at Panghyon Airbase, suggests that North Korea may be looking to integrate these drones into its military strategies more comprehensively. The country’s growing UAV capabilities also align with its broader strategy of technological self-reliance in the face of international sanctions and pressure.

The Saetbyol-4 reconnaissance drone, first tested at Panghyon Airbase in June 2023, features a high-wing design optimized for long-endurance surveillance missions. (Picture source: NK Pro)

The Saetbyol-4's design closely resembles that of the U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk, a high-altitude, long-endurance drone used by the United States for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) purposes. The Global Hawk has been a cornerstone of U.S. air operations since the early 2000s, providing real-time ISR data across vast distances, including in combat zones and over large oceanic regions. North Korea's growing drone capabilities may signal an effort to emulate similar strategic ISR capabilities, using indigenous technology.

Furthermore, North Korea's continued focus on drone technology follows a wider regional trend, as neighboring countries like China and Russia also develop and deploy advanced UAV systems. This technological race in East Asia underscores the importance of drones as a force multiplier, offering states a cheaper and more effective way to gather intelligence, carry out surveillance, and even launch precision strikes without the risks associated with manned aircraft.

The testing of a larger version of the Saetbyol-4, along with the construction of new drone hangars at Panghyon Airbase, demonstrates North Korea's intent to enhance its UAV capabilities. This new, improved drone model, with its larger wingspan and design resemblance to the American Global Hawk, could mark a significant step in North Korea's military modernization efforts. As the country pushes forward with this technology, its neighbors and the international community will likely keep a close watch on the evolving capabilities of North Korea’s UAV fleet.

The development of the Saetbyol-4 drone program highlights the increasing role of unmanned systems in modern military strategies and poses a new challenge for surveillance and defense operations in the region. As the drone race heats up, the implications for regional security remain significant.