for reconnaissance and strikes.
The North Korean air defense system, built around the Air and Anti-Air Force Command,
integrates aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and radar air defense units.
SA-242) and SA-543) surface-to-air missiles are deployed to forward areas in eastern and
western regions, while SA-2 and SA-344) surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artilleries are
concentrated around the Pyongyang area to form a layered air defense system.
A large number of radar air defense units such as the ground controlled interception bases
and the early warning bases are spread out across North Korea, allowing the regime to scan
the entire Korean peninsula. To increase the detection accuracy of radar air defense units
and reduce the response time, North Korea is currently setting up an automated air defense
command and control system. The key assets of the North Korean Air Force are shown in
<Chart 1-6> below:
<Chart 1-6> Key Assets of the north Korean Air force
fighter Aircraft
Approx. 810
surveillance and
Control Aircraft
Approx. 30
Transport Aircraft
(including An-2s)
Approx. 330
Training Aircraft
Approx. 170
Helicopters
(of all three services)
Approx. 290
| strategic force | The Strategic Rocket Command has been renamed the Strategic Force
and has been promoted to a military command at the same level as the Ground Force, Navy,
and Air and Anti-Air Force Command. The Strategic Force is likely to perform similar
functions as China’s Rocket Force and Russia’s Strategic Missile Troops. Future reinforcement
efforts are expected, with a particular focus on asymmetric forces.
| Reserve forces | The Reserve Forces of North Korea are composed of the Reserve
Military Training Unit, which is subject to combat mobilization, the workplace-based or
regional Worker-Peasant Red Guards, the Red Youth Guard, which is a military organization
in high schools, and paramilitary units. Eligible ages of mobilization are from 14 to 60 years of
age, which corresponds to 7,620,000 or roughly 30% of the population.
42) a guided missile system for striking mid- to high-altitude targets, with a maximum range of 56km.
43) a guided missile system for striking high-altitude targets, with a maximum range of 250km and developed to complement the Sa-2.
44) a guided missile system for striking medium-range, low to mid-altitude targets, with a maximum range of 25km.
Section 3 North Korean Situation and Military threats
31
Chapter 1
for infiltration. The Air Force has also been producing and deploying UAVs and light aircraft