Page 34 - 2018 Defense White Paper

western regions, while SA-2 and SA-3 30) surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artilleries are

concentrated in the Pyongyang area to form a densely layered air defense system. Moreover,
it is assumed that the North Korean Air Force has developed a variety of electronic jamming
equipment, including GPS jammers, as an additional means for air defense.

A large number of radar air defense units, such as ground-controlled interception bases
and early warning bases, are spread out across North Korea, allowing them to scan the entire
Korean Peninsula. To increase the detection accuracy of radar air defense units and reduce the

response time, North Korea is currently setting up an automated air defense command and
control system. Key aircraft of the North Korean Air Force are shown in [Chart 1-5] below.

[ Chart 1-5 ] Key Aircraft of the North Korean Air Force

Surveillance and Transport Aircraft Helicopters
Fighter Aircraft Training Aircraft
Approx. 810 Control Aircraft (Including AN-2s) Approx. 170 (Including Navy’s)
Approx. 30 Approx. 340 Approx. 290

| Strategic Force | North Korea has expanded and reorganized the Strategic Rocket Command
into the Strategic Force, and elevated it to a command of its own military branch. The Strategic
Force is believed to consist of nine missile brigades. It is likely to perform functions similar to

those of China’s Rocket Force and Russia’s Strategic Missile Troops.
To enhance its strategic attack capabilities, North Korea has continuously developed nuclear
weapons; ballistic missiles; and chemical, biological, and radiological weapons. North Korea

first gained access to nuclear materials in the 1980s after operating the 5MWe reactor located
in the Yongbyon Nuclear Complex by reprocessing spent fuel rods. Since then, North Korea
conducted six nuclear tests in October 2006, May 2009, February 2013, January and September

2016, and September 2017. It is estimated to possess around 50kg of weapon-grade plutonium
obtained from several rounds of reprocessing spent fuel rods. North Korea is also believed to
possess a substantial amount of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU), and its ability to miniaturize

30) A guided missile system for striking medium-range, low- to mid-altitude targets, with a maximum range of 25km

32 Chapter 1 Changes and Challenges in the Security Environment