Kim Jong Un vows nuclear role for air force at 80th KPAAF anniversary parade
December 1, 2025
North Korea has marked the 80th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army Air Force, or KPAAF. As part of the celebrations, Kim Jong Un attended an event where the KPAAF displayed its newest gear. It was held at the Kil Yong-jo Hero Regiment of the 59th Unit, 2nd Air Division, near the North Korean city of Wonsun.
North Korea’s new missiles
The display was an interesting one. It both displayed the KPAAF’s newest missiles while also highlighting how old the service’s fleet is.
North Korea displayed its newest jets, including MiG-29 Fulcrums and Su-25 Frogfoots; these remain in service in countries like Russia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, but are on their way out.
Also visible were unmanned aircraft and mobile missile launchers. The drones superficially resemble US drones like the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. It is difficult to tell which equipment on display was a mock-up, prototype, or operational.
Ukrainian intelligence says that the hermit state is also mass-producing small, short-ranged FPV drones as well as larger, medium-range attack drones. Among the missiles on the aircraft was a cruise missile attached to a Su-25 that superficially resembles a Storm Shadow/SCALP missile.
North Korea 🇰🇵 claims 150 combat aircraft involved in large-scale combined air-attack drill on 8 Oct.
— Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) October 10, 2022
Su-25, MiG-29, MiG-23, MiG-21 & Mig-19 visible. pic.twitter.com/FWqWU63uNZ
One of the most notable appearances was North Korea’s new AWACS aircraft, which was built by modifying one of its Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft.
Separately, The War Zone reported in October 2025 that North Korea had unveiled a mock-up of what the country calls a new hypersonic missile dubbed the Hwasong-11Ma. The missile is fired from a 10-wheeled transport-erector-launcher (TEL). The missile is developed from the short-ranged Hwasong-11 series.
Kim Jong Un says North Korea will get “strategic” assets
The Japan Times reported Kim Jong Un announced during the event that the KPAAF would be equipped with “new strategic military assets.”
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Kim Jong Un said, “The Air Force will be given new strategic military assets and entrusted with a new important duty.”
In North Korean parlance, “strategic” often refers to nuclear weapons and related systems. State-run TV quoted Kim as saying the air force “will play a role in the exercise of the nuclear war deterrent.”
It is well known that North Korea is receiving missiles and other technology from Russia as payment for its aid in Russia’s war effort against Ukraine. In particular, Russian guns have only been able to keep up their rate of fire thanks to North Korea shipping millions of artillery shells.
80th KPAAF anniversary event. The meteor SAMs are always interesting.
— Taepodong (@stoa1984) November 30, 2025
MiGs seen with some new munition (mockups).
A STOL drone.
IMHO N. Korea must rely on SAMs for a meaningful air defense, and let the MiGs play limited defensive and offensive role. pic.twitter.com/1Y5b5s4r9p
Defense One reported that US officials have previously stated they expect North Korea to also receive older 4th-generation fighter jets (like Su-27s and MiG-29s) in compensation. No reports of new fighter jets in North Korea have yet been reported.
Read more: Russia and North Korea revived symbolic flights amid deepening military ties
North Korea’s geriatric fleet of fighter jets
North Korea received its MiG-29 and Su-25 jets from the Soviet Union and has not received any since its demise. In some contexts, such as against similarly poorly equipped adversaries, old jets like the MiG-29s and Su-25s could be useful. However, the two air forces the KPAAF stands against are the South Korean Air Force and the US Air Force.
These are two of the most modern and technologically advanced air forces in the world. South Korea now operates a fleet of advanced F-35 Lightning IIs, meaning KPAAF’s most advanced jets pose little threat. Meanwhile, North Korea has criticised Japan for developing the Tempest/GCAP 6th-generation fighter with the UK and Italy.
Most of the on-paper numerically large KPAAF’s fleet is made up of MiG-19s and MiG-21PFMs and associated Chinese derivatives (like the J-7).
Just so yall know this is the litteral cream of the KPAAF. Most of the Air Force around the country are MiG 19s and MiG 21PFMs. The MiG 29s and Su25s aren’t even based there in Wonsan. Wonsan is home to North Koreas MiG 21PFM and J7s. But they are nowhere in sight for this event pic.twitter.com/9orInyVgHs
— capt. Wild Bill Kelso (@_wild_billkelso) November 29, 2025
The event was held at the KPAAF’s Wonsan Air Base, where ancient MiG-19s and MiG-21s are based. Those jets were kept out of sight for the event. Separately, the MiG-29s and Su-25s aren’t normally based at Wonsan.
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Featured Image: North Korean State TV
