Page 36 - 2020 Defence White Paper

[Chart 1-6] Key Vessels and Surface-To-Ship Missiles of the North Korean Naval Force

Surface Combatants Auxiliary Vessels Submarines Amphibious Vessels Surface-To-Ship
Approx. 430 Approx. 40 Approx. 70 Approx. 250 Missiles

Air Force The North Korean Air Force consists of five flight divisions, one
tactical transport brigade, two air force sniper brigades, and air
defense units under the Air and Anti-Air Force Command .
39)
The North Korean Air Force, with around 1,580 aircraft, has positioned its forces
in four different zones. North Korea is postured to attack quickly with minimal
preparation by deploying about 40% of its 810 combat mission aircraft south of the
Pyongyang-Wonsan Line, and has the ability to infiltrate special warfare forces using
AN-2 and helicopters.
It is also continuing its efforts to improve the efficiency and modernize its air force
by retiring old training aircraft, producing additional AN-2s and light aircraft and
field deploying them, and developing various reconnaissance and attack drones.
However, due to limitations in introducing new combat mission aircraft, its air
defense capability is being reinforced through the development and realignment of
new surface-to-air missiles.
39) The North Korean air defense system, centered around the Air and Anti-Air Force
The Air Force Command
has been renamed the Command, integrates aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artilleries, and
Air and Anti-Air Force
Command in May 2012. radar air defense units. SA-2 and SA-5 surface-to-air missiles are deployed in
40)
41)
42)
40) forward areas in the eastern and western regions, while SA-2 and SA-3 surface-
A guided missile system
for striking mid- to high- to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artilleries are concentrated in the Pyongyang area
altitude targets, with a
maximum range of 56km 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,
41)
A guided missile system including GPS jammers, as additional means for air defense.
for striking high-altitude
targets, with a maximum A large number of radar air defense units such as ground-controlled interception
range of 250km and
that was developed to bases and early warning bases are spread out across North Korea, enabling coverage
complement the SA-2
of the entire Korean Peninsula. To increase the detection accuracy of radar air
42)
A guided missile system defense units and reduce the response time, North Korea is currently setting up an
for striking medium-
range, low- to med-altitude automated air defense command and control system. Key aircraft and surface-to-air
targets, with a maximum
range of 25km missiles of the North Korean Air Force are as shown in [Chart 1-7].

34 2020 Defense White Paper