North Korea Accelerates Drone Development..."Possesses at Least Two 'Saetbyol-4' and Six 'Saetbyol-9' UAVs"

38 North Report...Estimates Based on Serial Numbers Exposed in State Media

"Expansion of Panghyon Air Base Continues"... "At Least Some Models Have Passed Early Development Phase"

North Korean Central TV broadcasts Kim Jong Un's inspection of 'UAVs' (Seoul=Yonhap News) On the 15th, North Korea's Korean Central Television aired a new documentary titled "Great Transformation, A Year of Victory and Change in 2023," revealing footage of Chairman Kim Jong Un inspecting 'Saetbyol-9' attack drones alongside Ri Pyong-chol, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, which had not been previously reported by North Korean media. [KCTV Screen] 2024.1.15

[For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution]

An analysis indicates that North Korea currently possesses at least two 'Saetbyol-4' strategic reconnaissance drones, at least six 'Saetbyol-9' attack drones, and at least six 'Geumseong' tactical attack drones.

Martin Williams, a researcher at the U.S. think tank Stimson Center, made this estimation in a report titled "The Current State of North Korea's Drone Program," published on the 25th (local time) by 38 North, a U.S.-based website specializing in North Korean affairs.

The report estimates that North Korea currently holds at least two 'Saetbyol-4' drones, based on serial numbers observed in North Korean state media. The 'Saetbyol-4' is often called the "North Korean Global Hawk" due to its visual resemblance to the U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk, a high-altitude, long-endurance reconnaissance drone.

The report explained that one 'Saetbyol-4' unit bore the serial number '2102001,' while another carried '2102002.'

The report also noted that an improved version of the 'Saetbyol-4' was observed in March 2025.

According to the report, this model, identified in photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's field guidance, displayed several external differences from previous versions, including a new optical window installed on the nose and new panels on both sides of the fuselage that appear to be for electronic intelligence gathering.

It is estimated that at least six 'Saetbyol-9' units have been produced. This model is referred to as the "North Korean Reaper" due to its similarity to the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper, a prominent attack drone.

The report noted that one unit (serial number '2102009') was observed at a North Korean defense exhibition, and four appeared during a military parade. However, it added that only two serial numbers—'2101005' and '2101007'—could be confirmed in footage of the parade aired by North Korean state TV.

Later, in May, a 'Saetbyol-9' with the serial number '2101003' was spotted flying at low altitude over Sunchon Airbase in South Pyongan Province.

The report also suggested that given the existence of a unit ending in '009,' there is a possibility that up to nine of these drones exist or existed at some point.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un guides performance tests of tactical attack drones (Pyongyang, KCNA=Yonhap News) The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 19th that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided performance tests of unmanned weapon systems developed and produced by institutes and enterprises under the Unmanned Aviation Technology Complex on the 18th. 2025.9.19

[For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

As for the 'Geumseong' tactical attack drone, while the weapon's existence was previously identified, its name was only recently confirmed.

The report explained, "At least six or more small drones were first unveiled at a 2024 defense exhibition, and at the time, these drones were unnamed." It was only after Kim's subsequent field visit that they were identified as 'Geumseong' series tactical attack drones.

Previously, KCNA reported on the 19th that Kim Jong Un had guided performance tests of unmanned weapon systems at institutes under the Unmanned Aviation Technology Complex, stating that "(through this) the excellent combat effectiveness of 'Geumseong' series tactical attack drones has been clearly proven."

The report estimates that among these 'Geumseong' drones, there are airframes of different sizes, which could imply the existence of variants based on the same design.

Some drones in this series featured a canard configuration (small forewings mounted ahead of the main wing).

Additionally, North Korea has previously displayed quadcopters of varying sizes. The report noted that the manufacturer of these drones is unclear and that they may have been sourced from overseas.

North Korea’s drone program is believed to have begun around 2011.

Citing a Yonhap News report from February 2012, the report points to this period as the beginning of North Korea's drone "history," noting that the country imported several American 'MQM-107D' (Streaker) high-speed target drones from a Middle Eastern country, presumed to be Syria.

The report explained that the unveiling of the 'Saetbyol-4' and 'Saetbyol-9' at the 2023 defense exhibition marked the beginning of a "new era" for military drone development within North Korea.

The report further analyzed that expansion work continues at the Panghyon Airbase in North Pyongan Province, which is used as a drone development base.

As of 2024, construction activity was spotted there, including the addition of seven hangars and the construction of a large new building approximately 225 meters long, believed to be used as a workshop.

In April, "Beyond Parallel," a North Korea-focused project by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), reported through satellite image analysis that these hangars appeared to be completed.

However, it is believed that construction on the new building is still ongoing, as recent satellite imagery shows the roof has not yet been installed.

Mentioning North Korea's troop deployment to the Ukraine war, the report noted that "it is highly likely that they have been closely observing how drones are operated on the battlefield and how they can utilize drone technology themselves."

The report concluded that "Chairman Kim's order to expand production suggests that at least some models have passed the initial development phase," adding, "Future expansion of the [North Korean] drone program and the development of additional drones and capabilities can be fully expected." Yonhap News