North Korea created a copy of the American AIM-120 missile. It has already been fired from a MiG-29

The North Korean Air Force has conducted test launches of a domestically produced air-to-air missile.

The photos were published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The new missile was demonstrated during Kim Jong-un’s visit to the 1st Guards Air Division of the Korean People’s Army, where he watched air defense exercises.

During the visit, he was shown a new mysterious air-to-air missile, which outwardly has similar features to the American AIM-120A/B and Chinese PL-12 missiles.

Initially, the new missile was demonstrated being fired from a MiG-29 (9.13) “576” aircraft, as well as, presumably, from MiG-23s participating in the demonstration exercises. The missile launched from the MiG-29 fighter successfully hit an aerial target in the form of a drone.

Later, Kim Jong-un was shown the missile in static form next to a MiG-29 (9.13) “553” fighter jet, bearing the markings “ㅈ11009001.”

The dimensions of the missile are identical or very close to those of the American AIM-120 or Chinese PL-12. At the same time, the front aerodynamic fins had pointed tips — a characteristic feature of the AIM-120 versions A and B, as well as the Chinese PL-12.

At the same time, the tail fins had a unique shape that is not found in any other known missile of this class. It should be noted that, given the dimensions of the missile and the shape of the nose, it is likely equipped with an active radar homing head, and its characteristics are close to foreign analogues, with a potential range of 90-120 km.

If the use of such technologies in the new North Korean missile is confirmed, it will be possible to say that the DPRK Air Force has overcome an important technological barrier by obtaining a modern air-to-air missile to replace the outdated Soviet R-27 with a semi-active guidance system.

It should be noted that it is currently unknown how deeply the new missile is integrated into the MiG-29 fighter jet’s systems. The launch was likely carried out solely with the help of the missile’s own homing system.

At the same time, in order to fully realize the potential of missiles with an active homing head, the launch must be carried out using data transmitted to the missile’s inertial system from the H019 aircraft’s onboard radar station before launch.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that North Korea had begun testing its first long-range radar reconnaissance aircraft, similar to the Russian A-50 aircraft.