North Korea Develops Analogs of Storm Shadow and Brimstone Missiles

North Korea’s defense industry has shown what appear to be local versions of European missile systems — the Storm Shadow cruise missile and the Brimstone anti-tank missile.

The weapons were demonstrated on November 28 at the Kalma airfield of the 2nd Air Wing during events marking the 80th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army Air Force.

The new missiles were displayed on Su-25 attack aircraft with tail numbers “99” and “57,” which were inspected by Kim Jong-un.

Photos capture the aircraft carrying two cruise missiles that resemble the Franco-British Storm Shadow. The missiles also share some visual features with the German Taurus KEPD 350, including an exposed infrared seeker in the nose section.

The aircraft were also equipped with missiles that appear to be copies of the British Brimstone multi-purpose missile, mounted on a triple launcher similar to those used on British Typhoon fighter jets.

No specifications or official designations for the weapons were released. It remains possible that the items shown were mock-ups presented for propaganda purposes.

If the missiles are operational and enter production, they would represent a significant boost to North Korea’s air-launched weapons inventory. Such systems could be integrated on aircraft like the MiG-29, which makes up the core of the country’s modern fighter fleet of about 35 aircraft.

Militarnyi previously reported that the North Korean Air Force had conducted test launches of an indigenous air-to-air missile. During Kim Jong-un’s visit, another new missile of the same class was displayed, featuring external elements similar to the U.S. AIM-120A/B and the Chinese PL-12.