North Korea Armes Forces: News

North Korea spends on the army one-third of national income

But the real cost of Pyongyang to maintain the military machine is 8.77 billion dollars, South Korean analysts say

Expenditures DPRK army, air force and navy make up about one-third of gross national income that is many times the officially stated. This is the conclusion of South Korean employees of state research organization in Korea Institute of Defence Analyses (KIDA), reports Reuters.

Pyongyang claimed that in 2009 spent on the military $ 570 million. But the real cost of the North Korean regime to maintain the military machine is 8.77 billion dollars, which is higher than the official figures 15 times, say at KIDA. Scientists came to this conclusion, based on courses won the DPRK and South Korean won at purchasing power parity.

According to the KIDA, gross national income of North Korea in 2009 totaled $ 25 billion against 958 billion dollars in South Korea.

"North Korea is continuously increasing military spending despite the worst economic crises 1990 and its negative economic growth observed since mid-2000's", - states analysts KIDA.

Experts polled by Reuters said the DPRK to promote the agency that adopted the country's ideology of "military-first" allows the head of North Korea's Kim Jong Il to evade responsibility for the slump, suggesting that greater military spending needed to protect against threats from the United States.

I love these articles that confuse the situation by describing military spending in terms of GDP.

It nicely hides the fact that the South Koreans are spending so much more on their military than the North Koreans, yet it suggests North Korean spending is perverted and that South Korean spending is normal and acceptable.

It also justifies US military presence there.

Lets not forget that during the Korean war the North Korean forces walked all over the South Korean forces at the time because the South Korean forces were pathetic but that UN forces walked all over the North Korean forces when they intervened because they had a modern force at the time and it was only the intervention of about 300,000 Chinese forces that pushed the UN forces back to the border between north and south korea.

It is not a question of whether South Korea is as formidable now as the UN forces were in the 1950s in comparison to the North Korean forces.

The two questions that need to be answered are will the North Koreans use nuclear weapons? and will the Chinese forces intervene against with an enormous ground force.

I think the latter is very unlikely and the former is very likely.

The solution therefore is that there can be no military solution to this problem and North and South need to sort this out in negotiations.

Somebody should calculate what America is spending right now paying Military Retirements and Free Healthcare to the Baby Boomer Generation.

I bet you'd find the majority of their Appropriations is going to funding military retirements of a massive chunk of their population. Hence not even getting a Force Projection capability from all their spending. To keep a country going they'd have to put together teams to go out and kill those retiree's thru different means to save appropriations for war fighting.

Maybe create methods to kill them while making money at the same time? America's Medical Mafia is just the tool for such a need.

North Korea military boss removed from his post

16/07 09:53 CET

Marking what may be the beginning of a purge of older officials, North Korean military chief Ri Yong-ho has been removed from his post.

The decision was made by the country’s young leader Kim Jong-un, who took over after the death of his father Kim Jong-il last December.

Often seen together with Kim, Ri’s dismissal has come as a surprise to many.

The official reason for Ri losing his job is illness, however analysts are speculating the change signals Kim replacing former officials with younger ones of his choosing. Kim has made key appointments of younger men with backgrounds in economics.

Ri was made army chief by Kim Jong-il three years ago, and was one of eight people close to the former leader who accompanied the hearse during his funeral.


http://www.euronews.com/2012/07/16/north-korea-military-boss-removed-from-his-post/

N Korea Deploys Ballistic Missile Sub: Reports

MOSCOW, November 2 (RIA Novosti) - North Korea has deployed a new submarine, capable of carrying ballistic missiles, another step forward in the nuclear weapon development.

Sources in the government of South Korea have said that the North “imported a Soviet-era Golf-class diesel submarine and modified it”, according to a Yonhap News report. Subs of this series are also known as ‘Project 629’. They are powered with a hybrid diesel-electric engine and are able to carry ballistic missiles and/or Scud missiless. Golf-class subs had been in Soviet service in 1958-1990 and were decommissioned thereafter.

Described as “ancient marine technology” in a report by the International Strategy and Assessment Center, these subs may pose serious danger to the South, Japan and the US forces in the region. It is alleged that several of Golf-class subs were purchased from Russia in 1993 by foreign entities.

"The new submarine is 67 meters long with a beam of 6.6 meters, and has a dived displacement in the 3,000-tonne range," Yonhap’s source in Seoul said. The vessel is able to carry single-stage, liquid-propellant missiles with a 1,180-kilogram warhead and a maximum range of 1,420 kilometers. The shortest distance between North Korea’s Sinpo, where the sub was spotted, and Japan is 650 km.

It is alleged that the North has modified the imported vessel. Although Seoul claims Pyongyang does not have submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBMs) technology, certain developments in this area of technology have been reported recently. In September, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that “there is no intelligence yet that North Korea has an SLBM in operation. But the possibility of a North Korean submarine equipped with an SLBM has been detected recently,” as quoted by the International Business Times.

The North’s new sub was spotted from a satellite and first reported by a US-based monitoring entity. "The North's new vessel is what the website 38 North reported last month as 'an unidentified submarine' moored in a boat basin at the Sinpo South Shipyard, citing its review of satellite imagery," Yonhap’s source said. "According to the analysis of satellite imagery revealed by 38 North, a ground test facility for the SLBM launch has been up and running at the Sinpo shipyard," he added.

Several sources report that North Korea has been actively conducting ballistic missile tests recently. On 28 October the US expert Joseph S.Bermudez Jr. reported that the North has a new submarine-based ballistic missile testing facility in vicinity of Sinpo South shipyard.

"It would take one or two years before the North completes the test for the vertical launch of missiles from the sea," South Korea’s military say.

Pyongyang has 70 to 90 submarines, all of which are scraped Soviet-era vessels. Most of them are limited in ability and cannot be equipped with ballistic missiles. Now, the new sub is able to carry at least three missiles with warheads. This development will further exacerbate tensions in the Korean peninsula, possibly undermining recent S.Korean and China's efforts to resume nuclear talks with the North.

Great! Chinese money perform miracles! Already Korea is completely changed the last 5 years that's why zionists grew crazy about Kim.

What does Russia do here?


http://www.iranmilitaryforum.net/military-conflicts/updates-on-military-action-in-syria/18550/

par far wrote:What does Russia do here?


http://www.iranmilitaryforum.net/military-conflicts/updates-on-military-action-in-syria/18550/

Theoretically we could sell it in exchange for North Korean resources, or some assets or whatever. That's not the problem here.

But if we're talking about improving their airforce, then for the same amount of money they would be better off with an upgrade of all their MiG-29s to MiG-29SMT standard, and a few squadrons of newly-built MiG-29Ms, to replace their oldest fighters.

It would afford them a multirole capability, but the main thing would be enhancing their air superiority capabilities.

The Su-35 is not something they need to secure their airspace. They would be securing their deterrent most likely.
Compared to anything else they have - it would be almost a strategic weapon system. Given its range and payload - it can be armed with heavy nuclear-tipped cruise missiles & anti-ship missiles and that will surely set-off alarm bells in Seoul and Tokyo. Probably that's why the Norks might want it and are not going for some Chinese model instead - they want the very best for their nuclear arsenal. But this is something that Russia doesn't need.

MiG-29 upgrades and sales on the other hand won't elicit any undue attention.

One other thing. Nork pilots might defect. A defected Su-35, even an export model, would yield many secrets to Russia's rivals.

Agreed. Instead, Russia should offer MiG-29SMT's (or export variant) to North Korea to upgrade their jets, and new MiG-29M's for their current MiG-21's and MiG-23's. They could also offer to upgrade the older jets (both Russian and Chinese) with certain Russian equipment like their A-5's with rangefinders, EW/ECM/ECCM equipment and targeting pods (if the Sapsan-e is even ready yet). Doing so would bring new life to the older strike jets. With MiG-21's, they can upgrade them all to BIS level with maybe an even newer radar, and MiG-23's with newer radar and capabilities. Or maybe, sell them older Su-27's with newer subsystems onboard like newer radar (or upgraded current radar), and same subsystems like pods and what not.

I agree with Python. Su-35S holds a lot of advanced tech of Russia's (excluding AESA radar), where it is the most powerful fighterborn PESA radar known, and very advanced subsystems (AESA L band radar on wings as example, new ECM systems, and alike). Something that could be enticing for S.Korea and Japan to bribe the pilot of to defect with it.

i totally agree with you both they would be far better upgrading their current aircraft and replacing some with some lower tech stuff(lower than Su-35) its not just about buying them but training their pilots on something so high tech compared to what they normally fly and also the maintainance of the aircraft.
What i would suggest is:
upgrading its Mig 29's to SMT level, and buying some Mig-29M2,
upgrade their SU-25 to SM level,
buy some SU-27SM or maybe SU-30
buy some SU-24M2 (Russia will be looking to off load some after replacing them with SU-34)
buy some Yak-130's
buy some MI-17's
buy some MI-35's
and if you really want to worry the USA, Japan, and South Korea, buy some upgraded TU-22M3's to replace the aging IL-28  

This would greatly improve their air force without breaking the bank too much and Russia wouldn't be selling them new in service high tech aircraft. And would allow the North Korean air force to replace their Su-7's, J-5's, and J-6's to name a few.

My vote to you... as long as one of those Tu-22M3s just keeps going past NK and lands here in NZ at a nearby airport... and they leave the keys in it before they go...

I don't think North Korea can afford to buy and operate (effectively) 10 Su-27s, let alone these wishlists.

GarryB wrote:My vote to you... as long as one of those Tu-22M3s just keeps going past NK and lands here in NZ at a nearby airport... and they leave the keys in it before they go...  

You will make than a trip to US or Gitmo and share a little bit democracy?

I don't think North Korea can afford to buy and operate (effectively) 10 Su-27s, let alone these wishlists.

Which means they will be open to other trade opportunities with Russia to boost their income.

Besides even the poorest countries seem to have money for lavish apartments for the ruling class... in other words when they think it is necessary they find the money... and US forces in South Korea should make it seem necessary.

You will make than a trip to US or Gitmo and share a little bit democracy?

Not my job to solve their problems... they need to sort their own problems out themselves... and if they thought a bit more like that that would actually solve a lot of their foreign policy problems straight away.

sepheronx wrote:Something that could be enticing for S.Korea and Japan to bribe the pilot of to defect with it.

Agree.  Defection risk is too high to provide them this plane.

I know this is a bit of longshot considering the secretive nature of North Korea, but does anyone know of future military procurement for North korea? and any equipment that is unique to them. What i understand is most of the equipment it gets is home grown and some old Soviet equipment, I know they have developed factories which are capable of building pretty much everything apart from aircraft. I am not sure on the quaility of the equipment but was probably certain is it probably wont be up to date with current systems in place with other countries. They have started building ships, submarines and mini subs, but they still seem old spec with a few upgrades, this seems to be their main aim upgrading old soviet equipment but the upgrades i think still wont bring them much closer to current equipment tech. but i suppose their making do with what they have and upgrading as best as they can, there is certainly some contraptions being built. ive got a few pics of the type of equipment that they have upgraded of modified in their own North korean way, if anyone else has pics please post.

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http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/01/world-war-3-north-korea-to-buy-russias-su-35/

Nearly 60 years of US threats, it is normal that North Korea look for a better defense. After all, who is anxious by South Korea, Japan -another imperialis country-, and US F-15 ?
US even deployed recently F-22 in order to threat NK. Recently, the new policy by the Kremlin toward Asia is somewhere a shift of its usual politic. US and their allies are anxious because they want to be sure to have the suprematy of the sky for ever. Nevertheless, things does not run like that. The past US military victories above the skies of Iraq, and Serbia were du to an exception in the History. Exception where Russia was in collapse economic situation, and China was in the third world era. Now Things are changing.
I wish to see NK and Iran with their new SU-35.

New missile boat for North Korea, it looks similar to Russian 3M24 "Uran"







http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1170068.html

I wonder how North Korea will match air superiority of South Korea (they have far more modern aircraft). No aircraft acquisitions are realistic under the sanctions

George1 wrote:I wonder how North Korea will match air superiority of South Korea (they have far more modern aircraft). No aircraft acquisitions are realistic under the sanctions

Their Airdefence is nothing to sneaze at...as for sanctions....well, DPRK Kh-35's in action (apparently in production)





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George1 wrote:I wonder how North Korea will match air superiority of South Korea (they have far more modern aircraft). No aircraft acquisitions are realistic under the sanctions

Can they get it from Russia and/or China ?

higurashihougi wrote:

George1 wrote:I wonder how North Korea will match air superiority of South Korea (they have far more modern aircraft). No aircraft acquisitions are realistic under the sanctions

Can they get it from Russia and/or China ?

They tend to get stuff via 3rd parties usually

higurashihougi wrote:

George1 wrote:I wonder how North Korea will match air superiority of South Korea (they have far more modern aircraft). No aircraft acquisitions are realistic under the sanctions

Can they get it from Russia and/or China ?

the last aircraft they acquired were some second hand MiG-21s in early 90s

George1 wrote:I wonder how North Korea will match air superiority of South Korea (they have far more modern aircraft). No aircraft acquisitions are realistic under the sanctions

Few things that comes to my mind to address this problem. 
1) A-50
2) Buk-M1/2/3
3) MiG-21/J-7, total around ~140-150, upgraded to new standard with new radar, RD-33 and BVR missiles to improve its interception and fighting capability.
4) MiG-23, around 50 numbers, upgrade.
5) MiG-29, around 30 units, upgrade and increase the numbers from old stock or buy new.

It will take time to match the number of newer aircraft's that ROK have, but with a platform to give situational awareness and guide and utilise current aircrafts will be the shortest route to enhance the fighting capability of the DPR Koreas AF in the shortest possible time. But Russia has to open up fully and support DPRK, it is time for Russia to open eyes wide enough to see the reality and dump all the sanctions imposed on DPRK. A strong DPRK will be a good asset for Russia, help them develop their industries and military.