Russia Arms North Korea: Pantsir-S1 Systems Deployed in Pyongyang

Russia has transferred Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems to North Korea, which are being used to defend the capital.

Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, shared this in an interview with Iryna Sampan.

According to him, the Russian air defense systems are already on active duty, protecting Pyongyang.

Russia is actively training North Korean personnel to operate these systems independently.

Meanwhile, Russia expects to replenish its own army with North Korean citizens who will sign contracts with the Russian military under the guise of volunteers.

It is likely that the Pantsir-S1 systems in Pyongyang are primarily intended to protect North Korea’s capital from drones that could come from South Korea.

This Russian surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery system is designed for close-range defense of civilian and military facilities.

It is reported that the missile engagement range is up to 20 km, with an altitude reach of up to 15 km. The system is also equipped with two 30mm 2A38M cannons.

As previously reported, Russian weapon systems were spotted on a new North Korean missile destroyer.

In particular, North Korea was observed to have a missile that visually resembles the Russian 91RE1 anti-submarine missile.

Additionally, the new North Korean missile destroyer has been equipped with the Pantsir-M jamming-resistant naval close-in weapon system.

This system is designed to protect surface ships from modern aerial threats, including low-flying and small-sized drones. It is based on the land-based Pantsir-S system.