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North Korea Tests a New Surface-to-Air Missile System as Military Ties with Russia Strengthen.
North Korea conducted a test launch of its latest surface-to-air missile system on March 20, an initiative supervised by leader Kim Jong Un and reported by the official KCNA news agency. This test, aimed at evaluating the reliability and combat performance of the system, comes amid growing regional tensions and a strategic rapprochement between Pyongyang and Moscow. The event marks a new step in North Korea’s efforts to modernize its air defense capabilities while consolidating its military alliances.
The test comes shortly after the conclusion of an annual joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, an initiative that Pyongyang regularly condemns as a direct threat to its security (Picture source: KCNA)
The test, conducted by North Korea’s Missile Administration, sought to verify the effectiveness of a weapon system that has already entered mass production. According to KCNA, the results confirmed a high level of reliability and advantageous adaptability in combat situations. Kim Jong Un, accompanied by members of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, attended the event and expressed his satisfaction, stating that the North Korean army would soon be equipped with a major strategic defense weapon with proven performance. The leader also extended his congratulations to the research group involved in developing the system and to the military industry enterprises that contributed to its production. This public recognition highlights the importance Pyongyang places on this program, which aligns with its clear objective of strengthening national defense capabilities.
The test comes shortly after the conclusion of an annual joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, an initiative that Pyongyang regularly condemns as a direct threat to its security. North Korea, perceiving these maneuvers as rehearsals for an invasion scenario, appears to have chosen this moment to demonstrate its retaliatory capability by showcasing advancements in its weapon systems. This missile test also coincides with the visit to Pyongyang of Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, further fueling speculation about a possible transfer of military technology between the two countries. Several experts suggest that North Korea could be receiving technical assistance from Russia to enhance its air defense systems, an increasingly plausible hypothesis given recent military exchanges between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Photographs released by KCNA show a column of smoke marking the missile’s launch, as well as an in-flight explosion, illustrating the key phases of the test. Kim Jong Un is seen observing the operation before smiling, signaling his satisfaction with the results. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing a senior officer from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that Seoul had anticipated a possible missile launch and closely monitored the event. The test ultimately took place around 9 a.m. local time, once again demonstrating North Korea’s ability to conduct missile tests despite international scrutiny.
The presumed involvement of Russia in developing this missile system is part of a broader framework of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, which appears to be strengthening as the war in Ukraine continues. Several analysts believe that North Korea, in exchange for military or technological aid, could supply weapons to Russia, potentially for use on the Ukrainian battlefield. Ahn Chan-il, a North Korea specialist, suggested that this test could be directly linked to the production of weapons destined for export to Russia. If confirmed, this would mark a new stage in the reciprocal military support between the two nations, in direct violation of international sanctions.
These speculations arise as Russia increases its diplomatic engagements with North Korea. Earlier this month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko visited Pyongyang to meet with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son Hui, in an exchange that underscores the ongoing strategic rapprochement. Last year, South Korean officials stated that Moscow had provided North Korea with air defense systems in exchange for the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russian military operations. According to South Korean intelligence services, more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been sent to Russia, particularly to the border region of Kursk, where some have allegedly been redeployed to the front lines. These developments indicate an intensification of military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, involving the exchange of equipment and resources that could have repercussions beyond the Korean Peninsula.
This new missile test highlights the increasing sophistication of North Korea’s military capabilities and its potential integration into a broader network of military exchanges with Russia (Picture source: KCNA)
The missile tested by North Korea on March 20, 2025, could be an improved version of an existing system, such as the Pyongae-5 or KN-06 (Pongae-6), which are already in service and heavily influenced by Soviet and Chinese models. The Pyongae-5, based on the S-125, may have been upgraded with improved guidance and extended range, while the KN-06, derived from China’s HQ-9 and Russia’s S-300, may have received enhancements to better counter stealth aircraft and cruise missiles. The objective would be to strengthen North Korea’s ability to defend its airspace against increasingly sophisticated threats, particularly from U.S. and South Korean forces equipped with advanced technology.
Another possibility is that Pyongyang tested a new system developed in cooperation with Russia, incorporating elements of the S-300PMU, S-350, or even Pantsir-S1. With deepening military relations between the two nations, it is plausible that North Korea has acquired technology enabling the production of a more advanced air defense missile, capable of handling multiple incoming threats and resisting electronic countermeasures. Such a development would significantly bolster North Korea’s capabilities against potential aerial incursions and ballistic threats.
Finally, the Pyolijji-2 is a strong candidate, as it is a recently unveiled system likely inspired by the Russian S-400 or the Chinese HQ-22. It is designed to counter modern threats such as stealth F-35 fighters and South Korean and U.S. cruise missiles, featuring multi-target tracking and advanced radar interoperability. The fact that the missile tested is already in mass production, as reported by KCNA, aligns with the characteristics of the Pyolijji-2, strengthening the possibility that this was the system tested during the March 20 launch. If this assumption proves correct, it will mark a significant advancement in North Korea’s air defense capabilities.
This new missile test highlights the increasing sophistication of North Korea’s military capabilities and its potential integration into a broader network of military exchanges with Russia. It also demonstrates Pyongyang’s determination to continue developing its arsenal despite international pressure and ongoing sanctions. In a context where tensions in Northeast Asia are exacerbated by joint military exercises between Washington and Seoul, the accelerated modernization of North Korea’s air defense systems could alter the regional balance of power and further complicate the geopolitical landscape.