On July 27, 2023, despite facing sanctions from the United Nations Security Council, North Korea continues to enhance its military capabilities. On the conventional military front, North Korea appears to have drawn complete inspiration from American drone models. Previous attempts to convert US MQM-107D target drones into combat drones were unsuccessful, but the latest effort indicates promising results.
Just ahead of a military parade in Pyongyang commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, North Korea revealed two new drones in its arsenal, named “Morning Star-4” (샛별-4 or Saetbyol-4) and “Morning Star-9” (샛별-9 or Saetbyol-9). These drones bear a striking resemblance to the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk and General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, respectively. Both drones are labeled as High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) and Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) types, designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and ground strike missions.
The origin of these drones raises questions about how North Korean engineers managed to replicate American technology. Speculations range from industrial espionage through cyber-hacking to potential collaboration with other countries. Notably, the Revolutionary Guards of Iran had previously captured a US Navy RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-1C Grey Eagle drone, which may have influenced North Korea’s drone development. Furthermore, the presence of SATCOM antennas on the drones has raised eyebrows, as North Korea lacks its own communication satellites.
Experts are also curious about the engines used in “Morning Star-4” and “Morning Star-9”, as the original Global Hawk and Reaper drones employ Rolls-Royce and Honeywell engines, respectively. China’s involvement is suspected, as they possess a similar drone called the WZ-7 Soaring Dragon.