חיל האוויר האדיר של צפון קוראה

Air bases[edit]

Uiju Airfield	40°08′59″N 124°29′53″E	24th Bomber Regiment	Il-28 (Harbin B-5s)
Panghyon Naamsi	39°55′57.517″N 125°12′24.804″E	49th Fighter Regiment	F-5A(MiG-17F)
Taechon Airfield	39°54′12″N 125°29′13″E	5th Air Transport Wing
Kaech'on Airfield	39°44′45″N 125°53′43″E	HQ, 1st Air Combat Command 35th Fighter Regiment	HQ MiG-19/J-6. Fighter base with 2500 m runway.
Pukch'ang Airport	39°29′50″N 125°58′32″E	60th Air Fighter Wing (1 ACC) Air Transport Wing (5 TD)	MiG-23ML/MiG-23UB/MiG-15UTI H500D/H500E/500D. This base was where most new Soviet fighter aircraft were delivered during the 1960s.[12]
Samjangkol		Air Transport Wing (6 TD)	Mi-2
Sunchon Airport	39°24′43″N 125°53′25″E	55th Air Fighter Wing (1 ACC)	Su-25K/Su-25UBK/Su-7BMK MiG-29/MiG-29UB[13]
Kanch'on		Air Transport Wing (6 TD)	Mi-4/Z-5/Mi-8/Mi-17/Mi-2

• Uiju - 24th Air Regiment {Bomber} (H-5/Il-28, MiG-21PFM)
  
  
• Kaechon - 35th Air Regiment {Fighter} {J-6/MiG-19)
  
  
• Onchon - 36th Air Regiment {Fighter} (J-6/MiG-19)
  
  
• Sunchon - 55th Air Regiment {Attack} (Su-25K), 57th Air Regiment {Fighter} (MiG-29/UB)
  
  
• Panghyon - 49th Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17F, MiG-21PFM, Mi-2)
  
  
• Pukchang - 58th Air Regiment {Fighter} (MiG-23ML/UM), 60th Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (MiG-21Bis)
  
  

• Taechon - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
  
  
• Kwaksan - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
  
  
• Kangdong - ?? Air Regiment {Bomber} (CJ-6/BT-6)
  
  
• Sonchon - ?? Air Regiment {Helicopter} (Mi-2)
  
  
• Pukchang East - 65th Air Regiment {Helicopter} (Mi-8T, Mi-26), 64th Air Regiment {Helicopter} (MD-500)
  
  
• Pyongyang Sunan Intl - Special Service Air Transport Wing (KPAAF-CAAK) (Air Koryo) (Tu-134B/Tu-154B-2/Il-62M/Il-76MD/Il-18/An-24/An-148)
  
  
• Mirim Airfield - ?? VIP Unit (Mi-17) This base serves as a light transport base and closed sometime in the 1990s, now used as a KPA training facility.
  
  

• Chunghwa - Headquarters, Air Defense and Combat Command
  
  
• Taetan - 4th Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17F, MiG-21PFM, Mi-2)
  
  
• Nuchon-ni - 32nd Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17, MiG-21PFM, Mi-2)
  
  
• Kwail - 33rd Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17F), 11th Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17F)
  
  
• Hwangju - 50th Air Regiment {Fighter} (MiG-21PFM)
  
  
• Koksan - 86th Air Regiment {Attack} (Q-5A)
  
  
• Ayang-ni - 63rd Air Regiment {Attack Helicopter} (Mi-24D)
  
  

• Toksan - 56th Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7)
  
  
• Chanjin-Up - 25th Air Regiment {Bomber} (Il-28/H-5); ??th Air Regiment {Fighter} (MiG-21PFM)
  
  
• Wonsan - 46th Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PFM,F-5), 66th Air Regiment {Helicopter} (Mi-14PL)
  
  
• Kuum Ni - 71st Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PFM)
  
  
• Hwangsuwon - 72nd Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PFM)
  
  

• Sondok - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
  
  
• Yonpo - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
  
  
• Manpo - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
  
  
• Kuktong - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
  
  
• Kowon - Air Transport Wing (6 TD) (Z-5/Mi-4/Mi-8/Mi-17)
  
  
• Pakhon - Air Transport Wing (6 TD) (Z-5/Mi-4/Mi-8/Mi-17/Mi-2)
  
  

• Samiyon Airfield - ?? Training Regiment (F-5A)
  
  
• Hyesan Airfield - unknown unit
  
  
• Kilchu West + East - ?? Air Regiment {Helicopter Training} (Mi-2)
  
  
• Orang - 41st Air Regiment {Fighter Training}(MiG-15UTI/J-2/MiG-15)
  
  
• Sungam-Chonhjin - Kimchaek Air Force Academy (BT-6)
  
  
• Kyongsong - Flight Officers School (BT-6)
  
  

• Kang Da Ri Airfield - Underground runway near Wonsan, under construction; Google Earth Imagery is available.^[14]
  
  
• Tongchŏn Airfield(MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7)
  
  
• Inhung - Helipads (Mi-8/Ka-27 (possibly Ka-28/Ka-29/Ka-32)) (39°31′55″N 127°22′29″E)
  
  
• Hamhŭng Airfield(MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7)
  
  

• Sungam Airfield - Air Transport Wing (Y-5/An-2)
  
  
• Riwon north Airfield - (MiG-15UTI/J-2/MiG-15)
  
  

• MiG-17F/F-5: The MiG-17, and Shenyang F-5 are subsonic jet fighters. North Korea operates the basic variant, armed with 1 x 37 mm cannon and 2 x 23 mm cannons, with a total round supply of 200 rounds. There is no provision for AA missiles, although the fighter could be modified to carry two AA-2 Atoll missiles. It is outdated because of its low maximum speed and may lack radar and any sort of modern avionics. Due to lack of modern avionics it is defenseless in Beyond-Visual-Range combat, though its close range maneuverability makes it a powerful dogfighter. At least some have been modified into ground attack aircraft through the addition of two fuselage pylons.
  
  
• F-6B/MiG-19: The Shenyang F-6B is a Chinese clear-weather, day fighter version of the Soviet MiG-19. It has a supersonic capability, and is armed with two AA-2 Atoll missiles as well as three 30 mm automatic cannons. Along with the F-5 and the MiG-21 it is equipped with a radar, which has very limited range and capabilities. Having a short range, small payload and outdated avionics, the aircraft is largely obsolete, as its tiny missile load and poor avionics do not measure up to those of American or South Korean aircraft. Due to lack of modern avionics, it is defenseless in Beyond-Visual-Range combat. At least some have been modified into ground attack aircraft through the addition of four fuselage pylons.
  
  
• MiG-21: North Korea operates a large number of MiG-21PFMs, which are the country's most numerous fighter. The MiG-21PFM is one of the later versions of the original MiG-21, with many improvements over earlier models. It includes systems such as a radar warning receiver and IFF, which are necessary to wage a modern air war; other more modern components are lacking on this fighter, though. The PFM is armed with a GSh-23 cannon with 200 rounds, two AA-2 Atoll missiles, and has a provision for a Kh-66missile. At least 200 MiG-21s, including 30 built in China, are generally accepted as having been delivered to the KPAF.^{[citation needed]} By 1966-67, 80 MiG-21F-13 were delivered, with the first 14 arriving in or before 1963. 65 MiG-21PFM were delivered 1968-1971 and 24 more in 1974. In May 1968, the United States estimated that a minimum of 400 fighter jets existed in the North Korean Air Force.^[17] According to the US DIA, by 1977 there were a total of 120 MiG-21s in DPRK, but by 1983 this number had dropped to 50; 150 MiG-21PFM and MiG-21MF were reportedly delivered in 1985. According to one estimate,^{[citation needed]} 150 MiG-21s are in service. 50 MiG-21 trainers of different variants were delivered, of which 30 are believed to be in service. In 1999, 38 MiG-21bis izdeliye 75A were delivered from Kazakhstan.^[18] As of 2007, units known to be operating MiG-21s are:^[19]
  
  
  
  • One squadron of 46th Air Regiment at Wonsan
    
  • Three squadrons of 56th Air Regiment at Toksan, flying J-7B, MiG-21PFM and MiG-21bis, but it is not known if the types are mixed or not.
    
  • One squadron of 60th Air Regiment at Pukch'ang
    
  • Three squadrons of 86th Air Regiment at Koksan flying MiG-21PF and MiG-21U
    
  • Three squadrons of an unidentified Air Regiment at Hwangju flying MiG-21PF and MiG-21U
    
  • An unidentified reconnaissance/electronic warfare regiment.
    
  
  
  
  
• F-7B: The Chengdu F-7B is an improved Chinese-made copy of the Soviet MiG-21, armed with PL-7 AA missiles.
  
  
• MiG-23ML: The MiG-23ML is a third-generation fighter with many improvements over previous models. It has a look-down capability and effective longer-range radars, as well as other more modern avionics. The ML is very maneuverable, has a large payload and with proper maintenance and good pilot quality can be on par with some newer fighter aircraft.
  
  
• MiG-29B/UB: The MiG-29 is the KPAF's most modern fighter, possessing all types of modern avionics and weaponry. North Korea operates approximately 40 MiG-29B/UBs, which are in flying condition and are used mostly for the defence of Pyongyang's airspace. No other MiG-29 variants are confirmed to be flown, owned or purchased by the KPAF. However photographs obtained by a US RC-135 aircraft intercepted by MiG-29's in 2003 suggests that the KPAF may operate some MiG-29Ss^[20]
  
  

Bombers[edit]

• Ilyushin Il-28: Having been developed in the late 1940s, the Il-28 (and the Chinese copy, the Harbin H-5) represents an old generation of bomber aircraft. North Korea originally received 24 Ilyushin Il-28 Beagles in 1960, and after that deliveries of the Chinese H-5 copy continued. The H-5 is a simple, robust, jet-engined bomber, capable of carrying up to 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb) of bombs, including conventional, biological, chemical or nuclear. Its range is about 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi), capable of hitting targets in most of Japan and all of South Korea. The bomber is supplied with a special aiming radar for the bombardier for precise targeting during poor visibility. Despite these advantages, it has a few grave drawbacks - a low maximum speed of 900 kilometres per hour (560 mph) and a fairly low ceiling of about 13,000 metres (43,000 ft), which renders the aircraft very vulnerable even to older types of SAMs and jet fighters. Despite this, it provides North Korea with a medium-range weapons platform. As of 2006, North Korea had 82 Il-28/H-5 of various types based at Changjin and Uiju.^[21]
  
  

Ground attack aircraft[edit]

• Su-7BMK: One of the first mass-produced Cold War-era Soviet ground attack aircraft, the Su-7BMK is a swept-wing aircraft for bombing missions and with a limited fighter capability. It is easy to maintain, but requires very long airfields due to its wing configuration. The Su-7 is generally obsolete. It can carry up to 2,000 kg of armament and is armed with 2x 30 mm cannons.
  
  
• A/Q-5II: A ground attack fighter designed by China and based on the MiG-19, the A-5 has been in service since the 1970s. Like most of North Korea's aircraft, it is obsolete compared to most modern aircraft, lacking modern avionics and weaponry.
  
  
• Su-25K: The Su-25K is the North's most modern strike/CAS aircraft.
  
  

Attack helicopters[edit]

• MD 500D: The MD Helicopters MD 500D is a civilian helicopter which North Korea imported in 1985 by circumventing United States export controls. The airframe of the 500D was manufactured in South Korea, was assembled in the United States, and was purchased through a German export firm. The 500D has no attack capabilities, but it can be easily modified to assume the role of a gunship. Of the 87 500Ds North Korea imported, at least 60 are said to be modified in this manner. Although a modified 500D would be effective in the anti-personnel role, it only has a marginal chance of deterring lightly armored vehicles, so it is likely that the 500D would be used in a defensive role or employ guerrilla tactics. With a range of 605 km, the 500D should be capable of scouting much of the Korean Peninsula. However, as the civilian version lacks a radar, its role as an observation helicopter would be limited. The ROKA operates a military variant of the 500D known as the 500MD, which could lead to deceptive operations by the North Koreans if their 500Ds were painted with ROKA livery and infiltrated South Korea. Although there are slight differences between the airframes of the 500D and the 500MD, it would be difficult to differentiate between them if a soldier is unfamiliar with the differences or if the helicopter were flying at high speeds. However, this problem could be resolved if an IFF system is implemented, thereby further limiting the 500D's role as an observation helicopter.
  
  
• Mi-2: Light transport and light combat helicopter. The Mi-2 Hoplite can be armed with PK M.Gs and 57 mm rocket pods and was able to provide close air support. 140 in service with the Korean People's Air Force and 7,200 of these aircraft were produced. This aircraft worked well as a transport and light utility helicopter with the ability to hold up to 8 fully armed men and a pilot. But the Mi-2 was not much more than that because its light armor made it vulnerable to small arms fire.
  
  
• Mi-14: Derived from the flexible Mi-8 Hip design, the Mi-14 Haze is a naval development of the Mi-8, capable of ASW, mine sweeping and SAR roles. It is unclear what the KPAF's ASW arsenal consists of, but it is unlikely that their inventory contains equipment that are feasible in anti-submarine roles by modern standards. It is much more likely that the Mi-14 will be used in the SAR role, as it is unclear which variant of the Mi-14 the KPAF possesses.
  
  
• Mi-24: Also a development from the Mi-8 design, the Mi-24 Hind is a very feasible gunship with troop-transport capability. Although it is unknown which variant of the Mi-24 the KPAF possesses, it is likely to be the Mi-24D Hind-D variant, the most common type of Mi-24 in service around the world. It can be internally equipped with a 12.7 mm Gatling gun, a door mounted machine gun, and has a payload capacity of 1500 kg that can consist of anti-tank missiles, gunpods, rocket launchers, bombs and IR guided AAMs. While the KPAF's anti-tank arsenal is unknown, they are likely to have at least a limited inventory to fit the Mi-24 as a capable attack helicopter. The Mi-24 also has a passenger compartment capable of accommodating up to 8 passengers, with armoured plates protecting this section. The flight performance of the Mi-24 is far from agile, and its mobility would further diminish when carrying the extra passengers. The Mi-24 has a range of 450 km, making it a capable attack helicopter that can cover much of the South Korean peninsula even with a feasible combat load. The Hind would be an excellent complement to the Su-25 Frogfoot ground attack aircraft, along with escort fighters. Because it is capable of transporting troops into the front lines, the Mi-24 Hind may also rescue injured soldiers to transport them for treatment. The Mi-24 is also capable of carrying R-60 "Aphid" IR guided AAMs for self-defense. Despite its age, the Mi-24 is still very much capable as a gunship and an anti-armour helicopter.
  
  

Special Forces[edit]

• An-2: The Antonov An-2 is propeller driven cargo and utility aircraft, the world's largest biplane. Although primarily used in the civilian role as an agricultural and firefighting aircraft in other countries, the An-2 is capable of transporting up to 14 passengers in its rear compartment. The North Korean Special Forces possesses around 300 of these aircraft, and due to its 845 km range, it may be used by the KPAF to deploy special forces agents well behind the South Korean front lines. Because the An-2 is almost silent and can operate at very low speeds, the An-2 may also be used as a light bomber in addition to its ability to paratroop special forces agents. Since the An-2 is a STOL aircraft that requires minimal runway space, the airfields for the An-2 are less vulnerable compared to others and may be placed discreetly around North Korea.
  
  

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles[edit]

• Banghyeon: Banghyeon drones are remodeled Chinese D-4 UAVs with a fuselage measuring 3.6 m (12 ft) long, with a 4.8 m (16 ft) wingspan, and a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph).^[22]
  
  
• Vega Shmel (Bumblebee): 10 Shmel-1 UAVs were bought from Russia in the 1990s. They have a range of 60 km (37 mi), a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph), and are capable of carrying bombs.^[22]
  
  
• Sky-09: The Sky-09 is a Chinese commercial UAV acquired by North Korea and modified with a different paint scheme, a muffler to make it quieter, and different cameras. It weighs 12 kg (26 lb), has a delta wing configuration with a wingspan of 1.92 m (6.3 ft), and has a payload of 3 kg (6.6 lb). It is launched using a catapult, can operate in a robotic mode to fly over pre-programmed GPS coordinates to take photos, and lands using a parachute. Endurance is 90 minutes and top speed is 90 km/h (56 mph). When controlled, the Sky-09 can operate 40 km (25 mi) from its controller, but can travel 60 km (37 mi) in robotic mode.^[23]
  
  
• MQM-107 Streaker: North Korea reportedly acquired MQM-107 Streaker target-towing drones from a middle-eastern country, probably Syria, to develop unmanned attack aircraft based on the Streakers technology. According to Fox News, the South Korean "Yonhap" News Agency reported that "It's North Korea's powerful military placed explosives on the drones in a number of tests, but was yet to master the technology." ^[24]
  
  

• There are three other smaller UAVs that have been identified, Panghyon (1 and 2), Tupolev Tu-143 and Turumi^[2
  
  

Armament[edit]

The KPAAF use the R-23 missile similar to this one

R-27	Russia	air-to-air missile	60 medium-range missiles[27]
R-73	Russia	air-to-air missile
R-60	Soviet Union	air-to-air missile	190 missiles[27]
K-13	Soviet Union	air-to-air missile	1050 missiles[27]
R-23	Soviet Union	air-to-air missile	250 missiles[27]
KN-09	North Korea	air-to-surface missile
Kh-35	URS  Russia	air-to-surface missile
Kh-28	URS	air-to-surface missile
Kh-23	URS	air-to-surface missile
Kh-25	URS	air-to-surface missile

Air Defense[edit]

Equipment[edit]

KN-06	North Korea	LR-SAM
S-200	Soviet Union	SAM system	75 missiles[27]
Buk	Russia	MR SAM		[30]
Kub	Soviet Union	MR SAM
S-125 Neva/Pechora	Russia	SAM system	300 missiles[27]
2K11 Krug	Soviet Union	SAM system
S-75 Dvina	Soviet Union	SAM system	1950 missiles[27]
S-25 Berkut	Soviet Union	SAM system
SA-13	Soviet Union	SAM system		Upgraded with two four-missile pods.[31]
SA-7	Russia	MANPADS	4000 units[27]
SA-16 9K310 Igla-1	Russia	SAM system		Produced locally
ZSU-57-2	Soviet Union	self-propelled	250[27]	tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft system
ZSU-23-4	Soviet Union	self-propelled	248[27]	tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft system
SAIRAN Kashef	Iran	early warning radar

Capabilities[edit]

Ranks and uniforms[edit]

Ranks[edit]

Enlisted[edit]

Ranks in Korean	T'ŭkmu-sangsa 특무상사	Sangsa 상사	Chungsa 중사	Hasa 하사	Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 상급병사	Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 중급병사	Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 하급병사	Chŏnsa 전사
Ranks	Master Aircrew	Flight Sergeant	Sergeant	Junior Sergeant	Corporal	Senior Aircraftman	Leading Aircraftman	Aircraftman

Officers[edit]

Ranks in Korean

Taejang 대장

Sangjang 상장

Chungjang 중장

Sojang 소장

Taejwa 대좌

Sangjwa 상좌

Chungjwa 중좌

Sojwa 소좌

Taewi 대위

Sangwi 상위

Chungwi 중위

Sowi 소위

Ranks

General of the Air Force

Colonel General

Lieutenant General

Major General

Brigadier

Colonel

Lieutenant Colonel

Major

Captain

First Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant

Third Lieutenant

Marshals[edit]

Ranks in Korean	Tae wonsu 대원수	Konghwaguk Wonsu 공화국원수	Wonsu 원수	Ch'asu 차수
Ranks	Generalissimo	Marshal of the DPRK	Marshal of the KPA	Vice Marshal

Uniforms[edit]

Defections[edit]

No Kum-Sok wearing his flight suit. MiG-15 pilots did not wear g-suits orhard-shell helmets

• On September 21, 1953, 21-year-old No Kum-sok, a senior lieutenant, flew his MiG-15 across to the South and landed at Kimpo Air Base near Seoul. Considered an intelligence bonanza, since this fighter plane was then the best the Communist bloc had. No was awarded the sum of $100,000 (equivalent to $895,149 in 2016) and the right to reside in the United States. He is now a U.S. citizen.
  
  
• On August 5, 1960, a Shenyang J-5 landed at Kimpo, the second time a J-5 appeared in South Korea. This aircraft was kept by South Korea and was briefly flown in South Korean markings before being scrapped.
  
  
• In February 1983, Lee Ung-Pyong used a training exercise to defect and landed his Shenyang J-6 at an airfield in Seoul. According to the then common practice, he received a commission in the South Korean Air Force eventually becoming a colonel and taught at the South Korean academy until his death in 2002. He received a reward of 1.2 billion South Korean won.
  
  
• On May 23, 1996, Captain Lee Chul-Su defected with another Shenyang J-6, number 529, to Suwon Air Base, South Korea. He reportedly left behind his wife and two children. Lee was rewarded 480 million South Korean Won (approx. $614,000 US dollars^[35]equivalent to $938,153 in 2016). He is now a colonel in the ROKAF and is an academic instructor.^[36]