North Korea has showcased two new drones, raising concerns among military analysts that these are replicas of existing Israeli technology.
A Striking Resemblance
The reveal comes amid ongoing scrutiny of North Korea's weapons development, which frequently mirrors designs from other nations, according to Tech.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the recent presentation, reinforcing the regime's narrative that its defense industry is advancing rapidly. However, the new drones are suspected to be copies of well-known Israeli models, a pattern seen in their recent weapons developments.
The first drone unveiled bears a striking resemblance to the IAI Harop, produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The original Harop is a loitering munition with a wingspan of 3 meters and a length of 2.5 meters.
It can stay airborne for up to 6 hours and carry a 23-kilogram warhead. The North Korean version seems to replicate these specifications closely.
Arrived Via the Middle East?
The second drone is compared to the Hero 400 by UVision Air, another Israeli firm. Initially thought to be similar to Russian Lancet drones, it more closely resembles the Hero 400, which is equipped with an 8-kilogram warhead and has a range of about 150 kilometers with a 2-hour flight time.
Questions arise about how North Korea obtained these Israeli drones and whether they have replicated more than just the appearance. The North Korean government has not provided detailed specifications or performance data for these new drones.
There are theories suggesting that the IAI Harop and Hero 400 may have arrived in North Korea via the Middle East, potentially through allies like Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran — a key ally of North Korea and Russia.
The origins and capabilities of these drones remain uncertain, and successful test flights do not guarantee performance matching that of the original Israeli models.
