The United States’ top officer in the Pacific revealed that Russia has reached an agreement with North Korea to send MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to Pyongyang in exchange for North Korean troops to assist in Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, the leader of the US Indo-Pacific Command, made the disclosure during his address at the Reagan National Defense Forum on December 7.
Paparo said that the deal involves Russia providing North Korea with “formidable, but early fourth-generation” fighter jets.
However, Paparo refrained from specifying how many aircraft would be transferred. In return, Pyongyang has already sent around 12,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Paparo pointed out that North Korea’s military assistance was offered voluntarily, without prompting from Moscow. While not yet in active combat, these soldiers are believed to be stationed in combat zones within Ukraine.
North Korea is likely seeking more than aircraft in return. According to Paparo, Pyongyang may be eyeing advanced military technologies, including ballistic missile re-entry vehicles, modern submarine systems, and upgraded air defense capabilities. Such a trade would enhance North Korea’s military posture in the region.
This expanding military partnership between Russia and North Korea reflects similar arrangements Moscow has made with other US adversaries in exchange for their backing in its ongoing war.
In November 2023, Iran announced it would receive Russian Su-35 fighter jets and Mi-28 attack helicopters. Last year, Tehran also received Yak-130 combat trainers. Reports also suggested Tehran may acquire the advanced S-400 missile defense system in the future.
In September, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell alleged that China’s assistance in rebuilding “Russia’s war machine” is being reciprocated by Moscow through support in areas in which it has traditionally been reluctant to aid Beijing.
These include advanced submarine, aeronautic, and missile technologies, marking a notable shift in their strategic cooperation.
These exchanges highlight Russia’s growing reliance on its allies to sustain its ongoing war in Ukraine amid international sanctions.
Adm. Paparo’s remarks come during a period of political turbulence in South Korea. President Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly survived an impeachment vote after facing backlash over his brief declaration of martial law—a move some have labeled a failed coup.
Yoon issued a public apology on December 7, days after rescinding the martial law order and dismissing his defense minister, Kim Yong Hyun.
Despite the political drama, Paparo expressed confidence in the stability of South Korea’s security apparatus. “There is a little bit of political uncertainty in Korea. I’m convinced that, from a security standpoint, there is stability,” he added.
North Korea Seizes Rare Opportunity To Revitalize Aging Air Force
Moscow’s growing reliance on North Korea in its military campaign against Ukraine has created a much-needed opportunity for Pyongyang to revitalize its long outdated air force.
Officially known as the Korean People’s Army Air and Anti-Air Force (KPAAF), North Korea’s air power has long been viewed as the weakest arm of its military, stagnating over the past three decades.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the KPAAF’s current inventory includes over 400 fighter aircraft, 80 light bombers, and more than 200 transport planes.
However, most of these aircraft are relics from the Soviet era, and many are considered non-operational due to their advanced age—some dating back 40 to 80 years.
Historically, the KPAAF depended heavily on the Soviet Union and China for aircraft, with major expansions occurring during the 1950s as part of post-Korean War reconstruction.
North Korea became the sole foreign recipient of the Soviet S-25 surface-to-air missile system, an air defense platform originally designed to protect Moscow from aerial threats.
However, after the Cold War, access to advanced equipment from these suppliers diminished, and international sanctions tied to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program further crippled its defense capabilities.
The Air Force does possess a limited number of comparatively modern aircraft, such as MiG-29 fighters, MiG-23 interceptors, and Su-25 attack planes. These were acquired during the late 1980s and early 1990s and are primarily tasked with defending Pyongyang.
A potential deal for Russian fighter jets, such as MiG-29s and Su-27s, could represent a major leap forward for Pyongyang’s air force. The delivery would improve its capabilities and address decades of stagnation, albeit without reaching parity with the air power of regional adversaries like South Korea.
This disclosure about the potential deal comes over a year after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s key diplomatic visit to Russia in September 2023. Kim traveled abroad for the first time since 2019, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and high-ranking military officials.
One of the highlights of his visit was a tour of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant, where Sukhoi jets, including the Su-27, Su-30, Su-35, and the Su-57 stealth fighter, are built.
Kim showed particular interest in the Su-57, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, and was observed inspecting its cockpit and performance during a test flight. The Su-35, regarded as one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, also caught Kim’s attention.
In fact, in 2015, a senior South Korean military official claimed that North Korea had formally requested the purchase of Su-35 jets from Russia. However, no agreement was reached at that time.
While North Korea’s desire for cutting-edge aircraft such as the Su-35 is well-known, the country’s limited budget is a key obstacle to acquiring such high-tech jets.
A small fleet of Su-35s could exceed US$1 billion in cost, a price tag likely out of reach for North Korea—even with potential discounts Moscow might offer in exchange for Pyongyang’s support in the ongoing conflict.
Instead, the deal with Russia is apparently focused on more affordable aircraft like the MiG-29 and Su-27, which would still provide a crucial upgrade to the KPAAF’s current fleet.
Additionally, North Korea may aim to modernize its MiG-29 fleet as part of this broader military enhancement. For North Korea, modernizing its air force could be seen as a strategic move to counter South Korea’s increasingly advanced air capabilities.
Su-27 Flanker
As Admiral Samuel Paparo noted, the Su-27 is an early fourth-generation fighter jet. The Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, first introduced in 1985, was developed during the Cold War as a Soviet counter to American aircraft such as the F-15 and F-14.
Designed in the 1980s, the Su-27 was equipped with impressive speed and maneuverability, and it continues to serve in the Russian Air Force today.
In recent years, the Su-27 has made headlines for intercepting NATO fighter jets and drones near Russian airspace. For example, in March 2023, a Russian Su-27 damaged an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea.
In 2022, another Su-27 fired a missile at a British Royal Air Force reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace. However, the missile missed its target because the pilot failed to lock on to it.
Sukhoi Su-27 – Wikipedia
The fighter jet can carry up to 10 missiles or a combination of bombs and missiles and is also outfitted with a 30mm cannon. Its helmet-mounted sight system enables the launch of high-performance Archer air-to-air missiles, and the aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 2.35.
Known for its agility, the Flanker was the primary aircraft for the Russian Knights aerobatic team and became a favorite at air shows. However, it was also involved in fatal crashes during aerobatic performances in 1995 and 2009.
During its development, several test pilots tragically lost their lives. Nevertheless, the Su-27 has earned a reputation for capabilities, having set over 30 world records related to altitude and payload capacity.
Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum
The MiG-29, known by NATO as the “Fulcrum,” was one of the first Soviet-designed aircraft to incorporate lightweight aluminum-titanium alloys. This design choice helped reduce the aircraft’s overall weight and complexity, making it a more maneuverable and efficient platform for its time.
Its design also allowed for impressive high-angle-of-attack capabilities, thanks to the distinct flared wing leading edge root extension.
Over the years, many nations have recognized the MiG-29’s performance and sought to add it to their fleets. Fulcrum export models have been supplied to countries such as India, Iran, Iraq, and others.
The MiG-29 was an upgrade over its predecessors in terms of armament. The fighter features seven external hardpoints capable of carrying a diverse range of weaponry, including two medium-range R-27 air-to-air missiles, six short-range R-60 and R-73 missiles, bombs, and unguided rockets.
Despite these advancements, the MiG-29 had suffered some damage to its reputation in aerial combat. In the late 1980s, two MiG-29s flown by Syrian pilots were allegedly downed in a dogfight with Israeli F-15C Eagles.
Yet, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated the continued effectiveness of the MiG-29 when equipped with modern Western missiles. The Ukrainian Air Force has managed to use these jets effectively in combat, showcasing their adaptability and potential when paired with advanced missile technology.
However, the Su-27 and MiG-29 would struggle to counter the South Korean Air Force, which operates advanced fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets.
Additionally, South Korea recently received approval from Washington for a US$6.2 billion upgrade to its fleet of 59 F-15K fighters, which will further enhance its aerial capabilities.
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