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{{Short description|Air warfare branch of North Korea's military}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2009}}
{{Original research|date=March 2009}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=조선인민군 공군<br>Korean People's Army Air Force
| unit_name = Korean People's Army Air Force
| native_name = {{noitalic|{{lang|ko|조선인민군 공군}}<br />{{lang|ko-Hang|朝鮮人民軍 空軍}}}}<br />{{transliteration|ko|Chosŏn-inmin'gun kong'gun}}
|image= [[File:NKAF flag.svg|250px]]
| image = KPAAF patch.svg
|caption= KPAAF Flag
| image_size = 200px
|start_date=20 August 1947
| caption = Patch of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti Air Force
|country={{flagicon|North Korea}} [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]]
| start_date = {{start date and age|1946|df=yes}}
|allegiance=
| country = {{flag|North Korea}}
|branch=
| allegiance = [[Workers' Party of Korea]]
|type=
| branch =
|role=
| type = [[Air force]]<br>[[Space force]]
|size=110,000 personnel<br/>1,600-1,700 aircraft
| role = {{ubl|[[Aerial warfare]]|[[Anti-aircraft warfare|Aerial defence]]|[[Space warfare]]}}
|command_structure= Ministry of the People's Armed Forces
| size = {{unbulletedlist|110,000 active personnel|950 aircraft <ref name="Flightglobal">{{cite web|url=https://d1fmezig7cekam.cloudfront.net/VPP/Global/Flight/Airline%20Business/AB%20home/Edit/WorldAirForces2015.pdf|title=Flightglobal - World Air Forces 2015 (PDF)|publisher=[[Flightglobal.com]]|access-date=2015-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219164437/https://d1fmezig7cekam.cloudfront.net/VPP/Global/Flight/Airline%20Business/AB%20home/Edit/WorldAirForces2015.pdf|archive-date=2014-12-19|url-status=live}}</ref>|1 satellite}}
|garrison=
| command_structure = [[Korean People's Army]]
|garrison_label=
| garrison = [[Pyongyang]]
|equipment=
| garrison_label = Headquarters
|equipment_label=
|nickname=
| nickname =
| patron =
|motto=
| motto =
|colors=
| colours =
|colors_label=
| colours_label =
|march=
| march =
|mascot=
| mascot =
|battles=[[Korean War]]<br/> [[Vietnam War]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/HH18Dg02.html|title=Missiles and madness|publisher=Asia Times|author=Richard M Bennett}}</ref>
|anniversaries=20 August
| anniversaries =
| equipment =
|decorations=
| equipment_label =
|battle_honours=
| battles = {{unbulletedlist|[[Korean War]]|[[Vietnam War]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/HH18Dg02.html|title=Missiles and madness|publisher=Asia Times|author=Richard M Bennett|access-date=2011-08-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901174326/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/HH18Dg02.html|archive-date=2011-09-01|url-status=unfit}}</ref>|[[Yom Kippur War]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/israel-north-korea-dogfight-yom-kippur-war-2013-6?IR=T|title=Israeli F-4s Actually Fought North Korean MiGs During the Yom Kippur War|publisher=Business Insider|author=David Cenciotti|access-date=2019-03-27}}</ref>}}
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| flying_hours =
| website =
<!-- Commanders -->
<!-- Commanders -->
| commander1 = [[General]]
|current_commander= [[Colonel General]] [[Oh Gum-chol]]
[[Kim Kwang-hyok (Politician)|Kim Kwang-hyok]]<ref>[https://dprktoday.com/great/songun/2069 A KCNA Report calls Kim Kwang Hyok "Commander of the KPA Air Force"]</ref>
|current_commander_label= Commander-of-KPAF
| commander1_label = Commander
|ceremonial_chief=
| notable_commanders = {{unbulletedlist|Vice Marshal Cho Myong-rok|Colonel-General Oh Gum-chol}}
|ceremonial_chief_label=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
|notable_commanders=

<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=[[File:Roundel of the Korean Peoples Army Air Force.svg|80px]]
| identification_symbol = [[File:Roundel of North Korea.svg|80px]] [[File:Roundel of North Korea (type 2).svg|80px]]
|identification_symbol_label= Roundel
| identification_symbol_label = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundel]]
| identification_symbol_2 = Front:<br>[[File:Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force (Obverse).svg|150px]]
|identification_symbol_2=
<br>Back:<br>[[File:Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force (Reverse).svg|150px]]
|identification_symbol_2_label=
| identification_symbol_2_label = Flag
<!-- Aircraft -->
|aircraft_attack=[[Sukhoi Su-7|SU-7]]{{·w}}[[Nanchang Q-5]]{{·w}}[[Sukhoi Su-25|SU-25]]
| aircraft_attack = [[Su-25]], [[Su-7]], [[Nanchang Q-5]]
|aircraft_bomber=[[Harbin H-5]]{{·w}}[[Ilyushin Il-28]]
| aircraft_bomber = [[Ilyushin Il-28|Harbin H-5]]
|aircraft_electronic=
| aircraft_electronic =
|aircraft_fighter=[[Chengdu F-7B]] {{·w}} [[Shenyang F-5]]<br />[[Shenyang F-6]] {{·w}} [[MIG-21]] {{·w}} [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MIG-23]] {{·w}} [[MIG-29]]
| aircraft_fighter = [[Shenyang J-5]], [[Shenyang J-6]], [[Chengdu F-7]], [[MiG-21]], [[MiG-23]], [[MiG-29]],
| aircraft_helicopter = [[MD Helicopters MD 500|MD 500]], [[Mil Mi-2|Mi-2]], [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]], [[Mil Mi-14|Mi-14]], [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24]], [[Mil Mi-26|Mi-26]]
|aircraft_interceptor=
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
|aircraft_recon=[[An-24]] {{·w}} [[Tu-143]]
| aircraft_helicopter_transport =
|aircraft_patrol=
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole =
|aircraft_trainer=[[Aero L-39|L-39]]{{·w}}[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MIG-15]]{{·w}}[[Nanchang CJ-6]]
| aircraft_helicopter_observation =
|aircraft_transport=[[Ilyushin Il-76|IL-76]]{{·w}}[[Antonov An-24|AN-24]]{{·w}}[[Antonov An-2|AN-2]]
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer =
| aircraft_helicopter_utility =
| aircraft_interceptor =
| aircraft_patrol =
| aircraft_recon =
| aircraft_trainer = [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15#Variants|FT-2]], [[Shenyang J-5#Variants|FT-5]]
| aircraft_transport = [[Antonov An-24|An-24]], [[PAC P-750 XSTOL|PAC P-750]]
| aircraft_tanker =
| aircraft_general =
}}
}}


The '''Korean People's Army Air Force''', ({{lang-ko|조선인민군 공군}}, [[Hanja]]: 朝鮮人民軍 空軍), is the name of the unified aviation forces of the [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]]. The KPAF is the second-largest branch of the [[Korean People's Army]] with an estimated 110,000 personnel.<ref name="NKCS">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/North_Korea.pdf North Korea Country Study], pp. 18-19</ref> It possesses between 1,600 and 1,700 aircraft of different types, mostly of Soviet and Chinese origin. Its primary task is to defend North Korean airspace.<ref name="Global">[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/airforce.htm KPAF] at GlobalSecurity.org</ref> When the People's Army was formed up with Soviet help, the aviation unit became its air force branch on August 20, 1947. [[North Korea]] has celebrated August 20 as Air Force Foundation Day ever since.
The '''Korean People's Army Air Force''' ('''KPAF'''; {{Langx|ko|조선인민군 공군|Chosŏn-inmin'gun konggun}}; [[Hanja]]: 朝鮮人民軍 空軍 ) is the unified military aviation force of [[North Korea]]. It is the second largest branch of the [[Korean People's Army]] comprising an estimated 110,000 members.<ref name="NKCS">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/North_Korea.pdf North Korea Country Study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050226190621/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/North_Korea.pdf |date=2005-02-26 }}, pp. 18-19</ref> As of 2024, it is estimated to possess some 570 combat aircraft, 200 helicopters, and a few transporters, mostly of decades-old Soviet and Chinese origin.<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/><ref name="DIA"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jo |first1=Haena |title=North Korea's air force |url=https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis//military-balance/2020/02/north-korea-air-force |website=Military Balance Blog |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427055722/https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis//military-balance/2020/02/north-korea-air-force |archive-date=27 April 2023 |language=en |date=10 February 2020}}</ref> Its primary task is to defend North Korean airspace.
In April 2022, the [[Korean People's Army]] Air and Anti-Air Force name was changed to Korean People's Army Air Force.<ref name="mnd.go.kr">{{cite web|url=https://www.mnd.go.kr/cop/pblictn/selectPublicationUser.do?siteId=mndEN&componentId=51&categoryId=0&publicationSeq=1057&pageIndex=1&id=mndEN_031300000000|title=2022 Defense White Papers (South Korea)|date=23 February 2022|access-date=26 November 2023|df=dmy-all|archive-date=25 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125084410/https://www.mnd.go.kr/cop/pblictn/selectPublicationUser.do?siteId=mndEN&componentId=51&categoryId=0&publicationSeq=1057&pageIndex=1&id=mndEN_031300000000|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[Kim Il-sung]] set up the Aviation Association branches in Pyongyang, Sinuiju and other parts of the country in 1945. In December 1945 he merged them into the Aviation Association of Korea. The air force became a separate service in 1948. The KPAF incorporates much of the original Soviet air tactics, as well as North Korean experience from the UN bombings during the [[Korean War]]. In 1990-91, North Korea activated four forward air bases near the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone|DMZ]].


=== Early years (1945–1949) ===
==Organization==
The Korean People's Army Air Force began as the "Korean Aviation Society (조선 항공대)" in 1945. It was organized along the lines of flying clubs in the [[Soviet Union]]. In 1946, the society became a military organization and became an aviation division of the [[Korean People's Army]] (KPA). It became a branch of the army in its own right in November 1948.<ref name="Edwards2010">{{cite book|last=Edwards|first=Paul M.|title=Historical Dictionary of the Korean War|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=scZN59DXeOwC&pg=PA151|edition=2nd|year=2010|publisher=Scarecrow Press|location=Lanham|isbn=978-0-8108-7461-9|page=151|chapter=Korean People's Air Force (KPAF)}}</ref> Training personnel for what was now known as the "Korean People's Air Force Air Corps" was a major hurdle, with the Soviets reporting in May 1950 that of the 120 trained pilots, only 32 were combat qualified.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=C. Dildy |first=Douglas |date=Fall 2012 |title=The Korean People's Air Force in the Fatherland Liberation War: Part I |journal=Air Power History |volume=59 |pages=28–37 }}</ref> The only experienced pilots in North Korea before this were those who flew for the [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Service|IJAAF]]. These pilots were however rejected by society and the regime. Nevertheless, on June 25, 1950, the KPAF started flying support missions for the [[Korean War|Invasion of South Korea]].<ref name=":0" />
=== Operational doctrine ===
[[File:Il-10 damaged Kimpo Korea 1950.jpeg|thumb|North Korean [[Ilyushin Il-10]] at [[Kimpo International Airport]], [[South Korea]], on 21 Sept 1950.]]
Given North Korea's experience with heavy U.S. bombardments in the [[Korean War]], its aim has been mainly to defend North Korean airspace. The heavy reliance on fighter aircraft, [[Surface-to-air missile]] and [[Anti-aircraft warfare]] reflects this. However, since nearly all of North Korea's aircraft inventory consists of aging and obsolete Soviet and Chinese aircraft, the primary goal of the air force may have changed in the last years to providing ground support for the land forces and threatening South Korean population centers and military targets with a massive air attack.


=== Korean War: Invasion of South Korea and UN Offensive (June – November 1950) ===
In this way, North Korea could try to maintain military parity with South Korea by using its air force as a deterrent, much like its ballistic missiles, instead of trying to maintain a technological parity in aircraft types for individual air to air roles. This seems to be confirmed by the recent redeployment of 120 mostly obsolete fighters, bombers and transport aircraft closer to the demilitarized zone, even though 440 modern aircraft are also based near the DMZ. Keeping in mind the production, storage and use of a vast chemical, biological and possibly nuclear weapons inventory by North Korea, this change in doctrine is even more significant.
During the early period of the war, the [[Ilyushin Il-10|Il-10 Beasts]] were the main bombers used in the strikes against airfields in South Korea, while [[Yakovlev Yak-9|Yak-9/9P Franks]] as well other trainer and fighter aircraft were used in CAP and Strafing attacks. North Korea's Air Force also at that time had many Japanese aircraft including a [[Tachikawa Ki-54|Ki-54]] transport.<ref name=":0" /> Only one encounter with [[United States Air Force|USAF]] aircraft occurred when two unknown North Korean aircraft attacked two [[North American F-82 Twin Mustang|F-82 Twin Mustangs]]. The KPAF aircraft were out of range and thus failed to score any kills.<ref name=":0" />


On June 27, a USAF F-82 shot down a [[Yakovlev Yak-11|Yak-11]] Trainer that was escorted by four Yak-9s. On the 29th, after Seoul fell, a strike was conducted on [[Suwon Airfield]] by 3 Il-10s and 6 Yak-9s, destroying an American [[Douglas C-54 Skymaster|C-54 Skymaster]] on the ground. A second strike on Suwon was however intercepted by [[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star|F-80C Shooting Stars]].<ref name=":0" />
==Personnel and training==
The KPAF is estimated to possess a total strength of 110,000. Personnel for the KPAF are obtained through voluntary enlistment, conscription and assignments from other branches of the KPA. The selection criteria for the KPAF are higher than for the ground forces or navy. This has resulted in a force which is qualitatively above the national average in the level of education, technical proficiency, political reliability and ideological conviction. In general, [[Non-commissioned officer]]s and privates of the KPAF are required to serve three years and those with technical specialisations serve four years.


Throughout July and August, the KPAF continued in supporting the ground offensive near the Pusan Perimeter. During that time, they came into increasing contact with USAF and USN jet aircraft, resulting in more losses.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=C. Dildy |first=Douglas |date=Winter 2012 |title=The Korean People's Air Force in the Fatherland Liberation War: Part II|journal=Air Power History |volume=59 |pages=4–13}}</ref>
Officers serve for 20–30 years and are usually discharged only for physical disability, illegal activities or political reasons. All pilots are believed to be members of the [[Korean Workers' Party]]. Base pay is determined by duty assignment and rank rather than by rank alone. All officers receive longevity pay and pilots are given several additional allowances. Pilots receive a higher rate of flight pay for hours flown during adverse weather or at night. Enlisted ground crews receive only base pay. Air crews probably receive base pay plus small allowances.
[[File:North Korean Il-10 Kimpo September 1950.jpg|alt=An abandoned NKPAF Ilyushin Il-10 captured by UN forces at Kimpo airfield in September 1950.|left|thumb|202x202px|An abandoned NKPAF [[Ilyushin Il-10]] captured by [[United Nations|UN]] forces at [[Gimpo Airport|Kimpo Airfield]] in September 1950.]]
During the first-ever strike by carrier-borne jet aircraft on July 3, 1950, [[VF-51]], from [[USS Valley Forge (CV-45)|USS ''Valley Forge'' CV-45]], claimed the first kill by a naval jet when an [[Grumman F9F Panther|F9F-3 Panther]] shot down a KPAF Yak-9P.<ref name=":1" /> On that day, many KPAF Yak-9Ps were caught on the ground scrambling, with many reportedly taking off towards each other. In the end, the [[Pyongyang Air Base|Pyongyang]], [[Pyongyang East Air Base|Pyongyang East]] and Onjong-Ni Airfields (which were targeted in the strike), were hit successfully while the KPAF lost many of their aircraft.<ref name=":1" /> At the same time, USAF [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|B-29 Superfortresses]], P-80Cs, [[North American P-51 Mustang|F-51 Mustangs]] and [[Douglas A-26 Invader|B-26 Invaders]] began to attack ground targets inside North Korea, encountering very little resistance from the KPAF.<ref name=":1" />


Soviet sources reported that the KPAF was no longer operating after August 10 and was finally wiped out by a strike by USN aircraft on August 22. For their part, the KPAF only shot down 3 US aircraft in air combat (a [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|B-29]], an [[Piper J-3 Cub|L-4]] and an [[Stinson L-5 Sentinel|L-5]]). On November 6, 1950, two Yak-9Ps were shot down by F-51Ds from [[67th Cyberspace Operations Group|67th FBS]] became the last KPAF propeller aircraft lost.<ref name=":1" />
The pilots receive better treatment than officers of the same rank in the KPAF or equivalent ranks in the other armed forces. In spite of the severe shortage of food within [[North Korea]] during the 1990s, pilots - although they do not receive a full ration - had priority for food in their units. Pilots' food rations in 2000 consisted of about 850 Calories per day. This is increased to 950 Calories during periods of flight training. On national holidays pilots also receive special rations, including [[buckwheat]] and [[beef]]. Pilots receive an extra- clothing allowance, although alcohol and cigarettes are strictly rationed. Pilots and support personnel assigned to overseas deployments live in sharp contrast to their companions at home, enjoying the use of cars, television, refrigerators and easy access to food and consumer goods. The morale among the KPAF pilots is high relative to their [[North Korea Ground Force|ground force]].


=== Reorganization (November 1950–1953) ===
After the heavy losses encountered in July and August 1950, the Soviets began to train the North Koreans to fly the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15 Fagot]], although the Soviets were the first to fly the MiG against the UN Forces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Russians in MiG Alley |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0291russians/ |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=Air Force Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Although many North Korean pilots were experienced when they flew the MiG-15, the Soviets admitted that most were highly inexperienced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=[1.0] Mikoyan MiG-15 |url=http://www.airvectors.net/avmig15_1.html#m8 |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=www.airvectors.net}}</ref>

=== Post-Korean War ===
The KPAF has on occasion deployed abroad.<ref name="Bennett">{{cite news |last=Bennett |first=Richard |date=August 18, 2006 |title=Missiles and madness |url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=shm&sid1=102&oid=020&aid=0000016564 |work=[[Asia Times]] |access-date=October 17, 2017 }}</ref> It deployed a fighter squadron to [[North Vietnam]] during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>Gady, Franz-Stefan [https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/war-of-the-dragons-why-north-korea-does-not-trust-china/ War of the Dragons: Why North Korea Does Not Trust China September 29, 2017] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930055807/https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/war-of-the-dragons-why-north-korea-does-not-trust-china/ |date=September 30, 2017 }} ''[[The Diplomat]]'' Retrieved September 29, 2017</ref> [[Kim Il Sung]] reportedly told the North Korean pilots "to fight in the war as if the Vietnamese sky were their own."<ref>Gluck, Caroline [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1427367.stm N Korea admits Vietnam war role July 7, 2001] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308081855/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1427367.stm |date=March 8, 2008 }} ''[[BBC News]]'' Retrieved September 30, 2017</ref>

On April 15, 1969, [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21s]] of the KPAF [[1969 EC-121 shootdown incident|shot down]] a [[Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star]] in international waters, in the [[Sea of Japan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5068662.stm|title=N Korea in 'US spy plane' warning|date=11 June 2006|via=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=5 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306025158/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5068662.stm|archive-date=6 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 1973, a North Korean flight of MiG-21s deployed to Bir Arida to help defend southern [[Egypt]] during the [[Yom Kippur War|October 1973 War]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Leone|first=Dario|title=An unknown story from the Yom Kippur war: Israeli F-4s vs North Korean MiG-21s|url=http://theaviationist.com/2013/06/24/iaf-f-4-vs-nk-mig21/|work=The Aviationist|date=24 June 2013 |access-date=4 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407084018/http://theaviationist.com/2013/06/24/iaf-f-4-vs-nk-mig21/|archive-date=7 April 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 1990–91, North Korea activated four forward air bases near the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone]] (DMZ).

==Organization==
=== Capabilities ===
According to a 2021 report from the US [[Defense Intelligence Agency]], the most modern assets of the KPAF are the [[MiG-29]] and [[MiG-23]], while the [[Su-25]] ground attack and [[Ilyushin Il-28]] bomber aircraft are also deemed by the DIA as having some capability. The KPAF also maintains obsolete types including the [[MiG-15]], [[MiG-17]], [[MiG-19]], and [[MiG-21]]. The DIA assesses that the North Koreans would be unable to prevail in combat against US forces "overwhelming advantages in power projection, strategic air superiority, and precision-guided standoff strike capability," and would face "considerable difficulty" against South Korean air defences, relying mostly on Antonov An-2 transports for inserting special forces into South Korea and [[UAV]]s for intelligence gathering and supplementing the air force ground attack capabilities.<ref name="DIA">{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Greg |title=North Korean air force faces resources, obsolescence issues: DIA |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/north-korean-air-force-faces-resources-obsolescence-issues-dia/145955.article |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=Flight Global |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926180619/https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/north-korean-air-force-faces-resources-obsolescence-issues-dia/145955.article |archive-date=26 September 2022 |date=18 October 2021}}</ref>


In 2024, Admiral [[Samuel Paparo]], commander of the [[United States Indo-Pacific Command]] told reporters that North Korea is set to receive MiG-29 and [[Su-27]] from [[Russia]] in exchange for [[North Korean involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia|troops for its invasion of Ukraine]]. Paparo also stated that while these are older [[fourth-generation fighter]]s, they're still "formidable". ''The War Zone'' states that while it's unlikely that Russia will be able to transfer these aircraft on a short-term at least (with the Russian aerospace industry busy keeping the Russian Air Force fleets operational during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|war in Ukraine]]), the delivery of these aircraft would provide a "modest − but badly needed − modernization" for the KPAF.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=Russia Giving North Korea MiG-29s And Su-27s Isn’t That Straightforward |url=https://www.twz.com/air/russia-giving-north-korea-mig-29s-and-su-27s-isnt-that-straightforward |access-date=25 December 2024 |work=The War Zone |date=10 December 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un Kim Jong-eun or Kim Jung-eunWPK Central Military Commission, vice chairman north Korea air force 1017 Force MiG-29 fighter. Force fighter flight demonstration MiG-29 (4).jpg|thumb|[[Kim Jong Un]] poses with members of the WPK Central Military Commission and members of Unit 1017 of the KPAF in front of a KPAF [[MiG-29|MiG-29S]], January 2012]]


North Korea operates a wide variety of [[Anti-aircraft warfare|air defense equipment]], from short-range MANPADS such as [[9K34 Strela-3]], [[9K38 Igla]] and [[ZPU-4]] heavy machine guns, high-altitude upgraded [[S-75 Dvina]],<ref name=38north-20240719>{{cite news |url=https://www.38north.org/2024/07/developments-of-north-koreas-land-based-air-defense-systems/ |title=Developments of North Korea's Land-based Air Defense Systems |last=Xu |first=Tianran |publisher=The Henry L. Stimson Center |work=38 North |date=19 July 2024 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref> to long-range [[SA-5 Gammon]] and [[KN-06|Pon'gae-5]] SAM systems and large-calibre AA artillery guns.<ref name="Military Power">{{cite report |last1=Defense Intelligence Agency |title=North Korea Military Power: A growing regional and global threat |date=2021 |publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office |location=Washington, DC |isbn=978-0-16-095606-5 |pages=31, 45–47 |url=https://www.dia.mil/Portals/110/Documents/News/NKMP.pdf |access-date=24 September 2023 |author1-link=Defense Intelligence Agency }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=North Korea Country Handbook 1997 |author=US Department of Defense |url=https://archive.org/details/1997NorthKoreaCountryHandbookinsigniaAndUniforms/mode/2up}}</ref> North Korea has one of the densest air defence networks in the world.<ref name="Military Power"/><ref name=38north-20240719/> [[Ilyushin Il-28]] Beagle bombers provide a [[Medium bomber|medium-range attack platform]], despite being generally obsolete, although it is likely they have the ability to launch [[Kh-35]] and [[P-15 Termit]] missiles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ALCMs in Uiju|url=https://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1210131/air-launched-cruise-missiles-in-uiju-dprk/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=www.armscontrolwonk.com}}</ref> A large part of the ground attack aircraft are kept in heavily fortified hangars, some of which are capable of withstanding a nearby nuclear blast. Stealth capacity is known in the KPAF through researching in radar-absorbing paint and inventory deception.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/7960218/North-Korea-develops-stealth-paint-to-camouflage-fighter-jets.html|title=North Korea 'develops stealth paint to camouflage fighter jets'|date=23 August 2010|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916214022/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/7960218/North-Korea-develops-stealth-paint-to-camouflage-fighter-jets.html|archive-date=16 September 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
From 1978 to 1995 General [[Jo Myong-rok]] was the commander of the air force. In October 1995 he was promoted to vice-marshal and appointed Chief of the KPA General Political Bureau and a member of the [[Korean Workers' Party]] Central Military Committee. His place as commander of the Air Force was taken by Colonel General [[Oh Gum-chol]].


It has been noted that the North Korean Air Force operates a few [[MD Helicopters MD 500|MD-500]] helicopters that were exported to North Korea by [[West Germany|West German]] merchants through Soviet vessels in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Strange Story of How North Korea Smuggled in 87 U.S. Scout Helicopter|work=War Is Boring|date=13 October 2017 |last=Roblin|first=Sebastien| url = https://warisboring.com/the-strange-story-of-how-north-korea-smuggled-in-87-u-s-scout-helicopters/}}</ref> Several were seen equipped with Soviet [[9M14 Malyutka|AT-3 anti-tank missiles]] during a military parade commemorating 60 years since Korean War armistice.<ref>{{cite web|title=North Korea's (illegally supplied) armed Hughes 500E helicopters emerge after 30 years in the dark|work=The Aviationist|date=30 July 2013|last=Cenciotti|first=David |url = https://theaviationist.com/2013/07/30/dprk-h500e/}}</ref> They later made another public appearance at the [[Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival|Wonsan Air Festival]] in which they were seen sporting the new green camouflage paint scheme that has also been incorporated on [[Antonov An-2|An-2s]] and [[Mi-17]]s that have also been displayed at the air show.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airshow Review – Wonsan Air Festival, North Korea|last=Filmer|first=Paul |date=30 September 2016|work=Global Aviation Resource|url = https://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2016/09/30/airshow-review-wonsan-air-festival-north-korea/}}</ref>
===Training===


The KPAF possesses precision guided munitions such as [[Kh-25]] and [[Kh-29]] air to ground missiles along jamming pods such as SPS-141 for SAM suppression.<ref name="businessinsider.com">{{Cite web|last=D'Urso|first=Stefano|title=Rare photo of North Korean fighter jet firing air-to-air missile emerges after Kim Jong Un visits air base|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/photo-north-korean-fighter-jet-missile-after-kim-base-visit-2020-4|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref> At least some of Il-28's/H-5's bombers are capable of launching air launched variant of [[Kh-35|Kumsong-3]] anti-ship cruise missiles with known flight tests done in 2008 and 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1210131/air-launched-cruise-missiles-in-uiju-dprk/|title=Air-Launched Cruise Missiles in Uiju, DPRK|date=2020-10-04|access-date=2021-01-13|first=Scott|last=LaFoy|website=Arms Control Wonk}}</ref> Ground launched coastal defense variant of Kumsong-3 has range of 240 kilometers.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://thediplomat.com/2017/07/north-koreas-new-kn19-coastal-defense-cruise-missile-more-than-meets-the-eye/| title = North Korea's New KN19 Coastal Defense Cruise Missile: More Than Meets the Eye | publisher = The Diplomat | first= Ankit|last= Panda|date=2017-07-26|access-date=2021-01-13}}</ref> The KPAF still incorporates many of the original Soviet air tactics, as well as North Korean experience from the [[Bombing of North Korea|UN bombings]] during the [[Korean War]].
In general, pilot education is conducted under a plan by which fighter pilots are trained by the type of aircraft they will fly, then assigned to units having that type of aircraft. Transport and helicopter pilot training follows a similar pattern. The KPAF's two primary schools are the Kim Ch'aek Air Force Academy located at [[Chongjin]] and the Kyongsong Flight Officers School. In addition to these, there are a number of smaller specialized schools and courses.


==Personnel==
For example, during the mid 1990s the Kim Ch'aek Air Force Academy could not meet the demand for officers and so a short-term course was established at the KPAF headquarters located at Chunghwa-kun, Pyongyang-Si. It was a one year course for senior enlisted personnel which concentrated upon command and administration. Courses typically last four years. The majority of the cadets enrolled in the pilot training program are graduates of high schools or colleges and come from families with reliable political backgrounds (to reduce the risk of defection).
From 1978 to 1995, General [[Jo Myong-rok]] was the commander of the air force. In October 1995, he was promoted to vice-marshal and appointed Chief of the KPA General Political Bureau and a member of the [[Korean Workers' Party]] Central Military Committee. His place as commander of the Air Force was taken by Colonel General [[O Kum-chol]].


===Annual flying hours===
===Annual flying hours===
The number of annual flying hours (AFH) per pilot is, like almost every other aspect of the KPAF, very hard to estimate. Most sources on the subject abstain from giving hard numbers, but all of them estimate the average annual flying hours per pilot as being 'low' to 'very low'. The number of annual flying hours is very important in estimating the individual skill and experience of the pilots of an air force: more annual flying hours suggests better trained pilots. Most estimates present a rather grim picture: AFH per pilot for the KPAF are said to be only 15 or 25<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7951771/Intelligence-experts-analyse-North-Korean-fighter-jet-crash.html Intelligence experts analyse 'North Korean fighter jet crash'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909031002/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7951771/Intelligence-experts-analyse-North-Korean-fighter-jet-crash.html |date=2017-09-09 }}, ''The Telegraph'', 18 August 2010</ref> hours per pilot each year - comparable to the flying hours of air forces in ex-Soviet countries in the early 1990s. In comparison, most NATO fighter pilots fly at least 150 hours a year. Ground training, both in classrooms, on instructional airframes or in a flight simulator can only substitute for 'the real thing' to a certain degree, and the low number of modern jet trainers in the KPAF arsenal points to a very modest amount of flying time for the formation of new pilots.


There are a number of possible explanations for the low AFH: concern over the aging of equipment, scarcity of spare parts - especially for the older aircraft - difficulties with worn airframes, fear of defection and the scarcity of fuel are all contributing factors. It is very likely however that some 'elite' pilots and regiments receive considerably more flying hours. Especially those equipped with modern aircraft and tasked with homeland defence - like the 57th regiment flying [[MiG-29]]s and the 60th regiment flying [[MiG-23]]s - are receiving multiple times the average AFH per pilot; however, aging equipment, the scarcity of fuel and the general economic crisis in North Korea will affect these regiments as well, and keep their AFH low compared to [[NATO]] AFH.
The number of annual flying hours (AFH) per pilot is, like almost every other aspect of the KPAF, very hard to estimate. Most sources on the subject abstain from giving hard numbers, but all of them estimate the average annual flying hours per pilot as being 'low' to 'very low'. The number of annual flying hours is of course very important in estimating the individual skill and experience of the pilots of an air force and the general rule of thumb is 'the more the merrier'. Most estimates present a rather grim picture: AFH per pilot for the KPAF are said to be only 15 or 25<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7951771/Intelligence-experts-analyse-North-Korean-fighter-jet-crash.html Intelligence experts analyse 'North Korean fighter jet crash'], ''The Telegraph'', 18 August 2010</ref> hours per pilot each year - comparable to the flying hours of air forces in ex-Soviet countries in the early 1990s. In comparison, most NATO fighter pilots fly at least 150 hours a year. Ground training, both in classrooms, on instructional airframes or in a flight simulator can only substitute for 'the real thing' to a certain degree, and the low number of modern jet trainers in the KPAF arsenal points to a very modest amount of flying time for the formation of new pilots.


[[Agence France-Presse]] reported on January 23, 2012, that the KPAF had conducted more flight training than average in 2011.
There is a number of possible explanations for the low AFH: concern over the aging of equipment, scarcity of spare parts - especially for the older aircraft - difficulties with worn airframes, fear of defection and the scarcity of fuel are all contributing factors. It is very likely however that some 'elite' pilots and regiments receive considerably more flying hours. Especially those equipped with modern aircraft and tasked with homeland defence - like the 57th regiment flying [[MiG-29]]s and the 60th regiment flying [[MiG-23]]s - are receiving multiple times the average AFH per pilot; however, aging equipment, the scarcity of fuel and the general economic crisis in the DPRK will affect these regiments as well, and keep their AFH low compared to NATO AFH.


''[[The Chosun Ilbo]]'' reported on March 29, 2012, that the KPAF had dramatically increased the number of flights to 650 per day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/03/29/2012032901309.html |title=N.Korea Steps Up Air Force Training Flights |quote=North Korea has stepped up the number of training flights since last month to as many as 650 sorties a day. The North Korean air force is conducting training flights even on weekends [...] |date=2012-03-29 |access-date=2013-03-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330043151/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/03/29/2012032901309.html |archive-date=March 30, 2012 }}</ref>
AFP reported on January 23, 2012 that the KPAF had conducted more flight training than average in 2011.


''Tongil News'' reported on July 20, 2013, that the KPAF's fighter jets and helicopters had conducted 700 sorties a day for 11 days as reported by a source in South Korean government on March 13 after the [[Key Resolve]] military exercise started on March 11. Seven hundred hours of sorties is considered by the United States military as the capability to wage all-out war.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tongilnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=103371|script-title=ko:하루 700회 출격한 북한군 항공기|website=Tongil News|date=20 July 2013|language=ko}}</ref>
The Chosun Ilbo reported on March 29, 2012 that the KPAF had dramatically increased the number of flights to 650 per day.


== Structure ==
== Structure ==
[[File:KNDR Airbases fr.svg|thumb|Korean People's Army Air Force Air Bases.]]
Following is a list of bases where North Korean Army Air Force aircraft are permanently based.<ref>[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/facility/air_base.htm North Korean Special Weapons Facilities], Federation of American Scientists, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.scramble.nl/kp.htm North Korean Air Forces], [[Scramble (magazine)|Scramble]], Dutch Aviation Society, 2006.</ref>
Following is a list of bases where North Korean Army Air Force aircraft are permanently based.<ref>[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/facility/air_base.htm North Korean Special Weapons Facilities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715123929/http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/facility/air_base.htm |date=2006-07-15 }}, Federation of American Scientists, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.scramble.nl/kp.htm North Korean Air Forces], [[Scramble (magazine)|Scramble]], Dutch Aviation Society, 2006. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810054810/http://www.scramble.nl/kp.htm|date=August 10, 2010}}</ref>


=== Air bases ===
=== Air bases ===
; Northwestern area
; Northwestern area (1st Air Combat Division, HQ Kaechon)
{| class="wikitable"
[[File:Roundel of the Korean Peoples Army Air Force.svg|25px]] [[Uiju]]
|-
*24th Air Wing (Transport) - operating transport aircraft
! Base !! Location !! Units !! Notes
[[File:Roundel of the Korean Peoples Army Air Force.svg|25px]] Panghyon/Naamsi
|-
*Air Wing- operating MiG-17F/J-5, F-5/FT-5
| [[Uiju Airfield]] || [[Uiju County]] {{coord|40|08|59|N|124|29|53|E|type:airport}} || 24th Bomber Regiment || Il-28 (Harbin H-5s)
[[File:Roundel of the Korean Peoples Army Air Force.svg|25px]] [[Taechon]]
|-
*5th Air Transport Wing
| [[Panghyon Airport|Panghyon Naamsi]] || {{coord|39|55|57.517|N|125|12|24.804|E|type:airport}} || 49th Fighter Regiment || F-5A(MiG-17F)
* [[Kaech'on]] - Headquarters, 1st Air Combat Command. 35th Air Fighter Wing (MiG-19/J-6). Fighter base with 2500 m runway.
|-
* [[Pukch'ang]] - 60th Air Fighter Wing (1 ACC) (MiG-23ML/MiG-23UB/MiG-15UTI); Air Transport Wing (5 TD) (H500D/H500E/500D). This base was where most new Soviet fighter aircraft were delivered during the 1960s.<ref>[http://www.foia.cia.gov/docs/DOC_0001474986/DOC_0001474986.pdf Preliminary Assessment of BLACK SHIELD Mission 6847 over North Korea], Central Intelligence Agency, 29 January 1968</ref>
| [[Taechon Airport|Taechon Airfield]] || {{coord|39|54|12|N|125|29|13|E|type:airport}} || 5th Air Transport Wing ||
* Samjangkol - Air Transport Wing (6 TD) (Mi-2)
|-
* [[Sunchon, North Korea|Sunchon]] - 55th Air Fighter Wing (1 ACC) (Su-25K/Su-25UBK/Su-7BMK)(MiG-29/MiG-29UB)<ref name="MIG 29">{{cite web|url=http://maps.google.nl/maps?q=Sunchon++Airfield,+North+Korea&hl=nl&sll=39.510845,125.95657&sspn=0.001676,0.002411&t=h&z=19|title=MIG 29 in Sunchon|accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref>
| [[Kaechon Airport|Kaech'on Airfield]] || {{coord|39|44|45|N|125|53|43|E|type:airport}} || HQ, 1st Air Combat Command<HR/>35th Fighter Regiment || HQ<hr/>MiG-19/J-6.<br />Fighter base with 2500&nbsp;m runway.
* Kanch'on - Air Transport Wing (6 TD) (Mi-4/Z-5/Mi-8/Mi-17/Mi-2)
|-
| [[Pukchang Airport|Pukch'ang Airport]] || {{coord|39|29|50|N|125|58|32|E|type:airport}} || 60th Air Fighter Wing (1 ACC)<hr/>Air Transport Wing (5 TD) || MiG-23ML/MiG-23UB/Mig-29Bs/MiG-29SEs/MiG-15UTI/Mig-21<ref>{{cite web |title=39°29'50.0"N 125°58'32.0"E · Pukchang Airport, South Pyongan, North Korea |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B029'50.0%22N+125%C2%B058'32.0%22E/@39.5148426,125.9529046,135m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0xced1efb4ce3ffdef!4b1!8m2!3d39.497222!4d125.975556?hl=en |website=39°29'50.0"N 125°58'32.0"E · Pukchang Airport, South Pyongan, North Korea |language=en}}</ref><hr/>H500D/H500E/500D.<br />This base was where most new Soviet fighter<br /> aircraft were delivered during the 1960s.<ref>[http://www.foia.cia.gov/docs/DOC_0001474986/DOC_0001474986.pdf Preliminary Assessment of BLACK SHIELD Mission 6847 over North Korea] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105052909/http://www.foia.cia.gov/docs/DOC_0001474986/DOC_0001474986.pdf |date=2010-11-05 }}, Central Intelligence Agency, 29 January 1968</ref>
|-
| Samjangkol || || Air Transport Wing (6 TD) || Mi-2
|-
| [[Sunchon Airport]] || [[South Pyongan Province]] {{coord|39|24|43|N|125|53|25|E|}} || 55th Air Fighter Wing (1 ACC) || Su-25K/Su-25UBK/Su-7BMK<br />MiG-29/MiG-29UB<ref name="MIG 29">{{cite web|url=http://maps.google.nl/maps?q=Sunchon++Airfield,+North+Korea&hl=nl&sll=39.510845,125.95657&sspn=0.001676,0.002411&t=h&z=19|title=MIG 29 in Sunchon|access-date=12 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930064436/http://maps.google.nl/maps?q=Sunchon++Airfield,+North+Korea&hl=nl&sll=39.510845,125.95657&sspn=0.001676,0.002411&t=h&z=19|archive-date=30 September 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
| Kanch'on || || Air Transport Wing (6 TD) || Mi-4/Z-5/Mi-8/Mi-17/Mi-2
|}


; West Coast and Pyongyang area (Pyongyang is also the location of HQ, KPAAF)
; West Coast and Pyongyang area (''1st Air Combat Division) - HQ: Kaechon''
[[Pyongyang]] is also the location of HQ, KPAAF<ref>{{cite book|last1=Green|first1=William|last2=Fricker|first2=John|title=The air forces of the world, their history, development and present strength|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TFU1AAAAIAAJ|year=1958|publisher=Macdonald|location=London|oclc=671468610|page=189|chapter=The Korean People's Armed Forces Air Force}}</ref>
* Onchon - 57th Air Wing (1 ACC) (MiG-19/J-6/MiG-29/MiG-29UB)
* [[Uiju Airfield|Uiju]] - 24th Air Regiment {Bomber} (H-5/Il-28, MiG-21PFM)
* [[Hwangju]] - Headquarters, 3rd Air Combat Command. 56th Air Fighter Wing(3 ACC) (MiG-21U/MiG-21PF/J-7)
* [[Kaechon Airport|Kaechon]] - 35th Air Regiment {Fighter} (J-6/MiG-19)
* [[Kwail]]/[[Pungchon]]<small>({{coord|38|25|31|N|125|01|07|E|type:airport}})</small>
* [[Onchon Air Base|Onchon]] - 36th Air Regiment {Fighter} (J-6/MiG-19)
* [[Taetan]] - Air Fighter Wing (3 ACC) (F-5/FT-5/H-5)
* [[Sunchon Airport|Sunchon]] - 55th Air Regiment {Attack} (Su-25K), 57th Air Regiment {Fighter} (MiG-29/UB)<ref>57th Fighter Regiment reported at Onchon with 29 MiG-29s by "Concern over Underground Runway," Jane's Defence Weekly, 9 October 1993, p.5.</ref>
* [[Sunan International Airport|Pyongyang Sunan International Airport]] - Special Service Air Transport Wing (KPAAF-CAAK) ([[Air Koryo]]) (Tu-134B/Tu-154B/Il-62/Il-76MD/Il-14/Il-18/An-24)
* [[Panghyon Airport|Panghyon]] - 49th Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17F, MiG-21PFM, Mi-2)
* Mirim - This airfield served as a light transport base and closed sometime in the 1990s
* [[Pukchang Airport|Pukchang]] - 58th Air Regiment {Fighter} (MiG-23ML/UM), 60th Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (MiG-21Bis)


; West coast and Pyongyang area (''5th Transport Division) - HQ: Taechon''
; DMZ area
* [[Taechon Airport|Taechon]] - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
* [[Chunghwa]] - Headquarters, Air Defense and Combat Command
* [[Kwaksan Airport|Kwaksan]] - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
* [[Koksan]] - 86th Air Wing
* [[Kangdong Airport|Kangdong]] - ?? Air Regiment {Bomber} (CJ-6/BT-6)
* Hyon-ni - Air Wing (F-5/FT-5)
* [[Sonchon Airport|Sonchon]] - ?? Air Regiment {Helicopter} (Mi-2)
* Pukchang East - 65th Air Regiment {Helicopter} (Mi-8T, Mi-26), 64th Air Regiment {Helicopter} (MD-500)
* [[Pyongyang International Airport|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 Airport|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.


; DMZ area (''3rd Air Combat Division) - HQ: Hwangju''
; East Coast area
* [[Toksan]] - Headquarters, 2nd Air Combat Command. Air Wing (2 ACC) (MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7)
* Chunghwa - Headquarters, Air Defense and Combat Command
* [[Sondok]] - Air Transport Wing (Y-5/An-2/Li-2)
* [[Taetan Airport|Taetan]] - 4th Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17F, MiG-21PFM, Mi-2)
* [[Kowon]] - Air Transport Wing (6 TD) (Z-5/Mi-4/Mi-8/Mi-17)
* Nuchon-ni - 32nd Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17, MiG-21PFM, Mi-2)
* [[Kwail Airport|Kwail]] - 33rd Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17F), 11th Air Regiment {Fighter Bomber} (J-5/MiG-17F)
* [[Pakhon]] - Air Transport Wing (6 TD) (Z-5/Mi-4/Mi-8/Mi-17/Mi-2)
* [[Hwangju Airport|Hwangju]] - 50th Air Regiment {Fighter} (MiG-21PFM)
* [[Wonsan]] - Air Wing
* [[Koksan Airport|Koksan]] - 86th Air Regiment {Attack} (Q-5A)
* Ayang-ni - 63rd Air Regiment {Attack Helicopter} (Mi-24D)


; East Coast area (''2nd Air Combat Division) - HQ: Toksan''
; Far Northeast area
* [[Toksan Airport|Toksan]] - 56th Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7)<ref>Toksan reported as home to 56th Fighter Regiment with 49 MiG-21s by "Concern over Underground Runway," Jane's Defence Weekly, 9 October 1993, p.5.</ref>
* [[Samjiyon]] - Training Wing
* [[Changjin Air Force Base|Chanjin-Up]] - 25th Air Regiment {Bomber} (Il-28/H-5); ??th Air Regiment {Fighter} (MiG-21PFM)
* [[Hyesan]] - Training Wing
* [[Kalma Airport|Wonsan]] - 46th Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PFM,F-5), 66th Air Regiment {Helicopter} (Mi-14PL)
* Hwangsuwon-ni - 72nd Air Wing
* [[Kuum Ni Airport|Kuum Ni]] - 71st Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PFM)
* [[Kilchu]] - Training Wing
* [[Hwangsuwon Airport|Hwangsuwon]] - 72nd Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PFM)
* [[Orang (North Korea)|Orang]] - Headquarters, 8th Air Division. Training Wing (8 AD) (MiG-15UTI/J-2/MiG-15). Air Wing (H-5).
* [[Changjin (North Korea)|Changjin]]


; East Coast area (''6th Transport Division) - HQ: Sondok''
== Aircraft Inventory ==
* [[Sondok Airport|Sondok]] - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
* [[Yonpo Airfield|Yonpo]] - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
* [[Manpo Airport|Manpo]] - ?? Air Regiment {Transport} (Y-5/An-2)
* [[Kuktong Airport|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)


; Far Northeast area (''8th Training Division) - HQ: Orang''
Unless otherwise stated, the number of aircraft is from the principal source in the table. The total amount of aircraft by type is as follows:
* [[Samjiyon Airport|Samiyon Airfield]] - ?? Training Regiment (F-5A)
* '''Fighter aircraft''': 484
* [[Hyesan Airfield]] - unknown unit
* '''Strike aircraft''': 194
* Kilchu West + East - ?? Air Regiment {Helicopter Training} (Mi-2)
* '''Trainer aircraft''': 357
* [[Orang Airport|Orang]] - 41st Air Regiment {Fighter Training}(MiG-15UTI/J-2/MiG-15)
* '''Transport aircraft''': ~500
* [[Sungam Ni Airport|Sungam-Chonhjin]] - Kimchaek Air Force Academy (BT-6)
* '''Other''': 82+
* [[Kyongsong Chuul Airport|Kyongsong]] - Flight Officers School (BT-6)
* '''Total''': around 1,500
* [[Kang Da Ri Airport|Kang Da Ri Airfield]] - Underground runway near Wonsan, under construction.<ref name="Google Earth image here">{{cite web|url=http://freekorea.us/2007/04/29/the-north-korean-air-force-by-google-earth/|title=The North Korean Air Force by Google Earth|website=freekorea.us|date=29 April 2007 |access-date=2007-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927011941/http://freekorea.us/2007/04/29/the-north-korean-air-force-by-google-earth/|archive-date=2007-09-27|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/north-koreas-secret-strategy-war-america-go-underground-20525|title=North Korea's Secret Strategy in a War with America: Go Underground|first=Kyle|last=Mizokami|website=The National Interest|date=6 May 2017 |access-date=2017-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911024401/http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/north-koreas-secret-strategy-war-america-go-underground-20525|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://googlesightseeing.com/2008/05/north-koreas-thunderbird-runways/|title=North Korea's Thunderbird Runways|date=19 May 2008|access-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911024627/http://googlesightseeing.com/2008/05/north-koreas-thunderbird-runways/|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* [[Kuum Ni Airport|Tongchŏn Airfield]](MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7)
* Inhung - Helipads (Mi-8/Ka-27 (possibly Ka-28/Ka-29/Ka-32)) <small>({{coord|39|31|55|N|127|22|29|E|type:airport}})</small>
* [[Toksan Airport|Hamhŭng Airfield]](MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7)
* [[Sungam Ni Airport|Sungam Airfield]] - Air Transport Wing (Y-5/An-2)
* [[Riwon Airport|Riwon north Airfield]] - (MiG-15UTI/J-2/MiG-15)


==Aircraft==
=== Current inventory ===
[[File:DPRK MiG-29.jpg|thumb|A North Korean [[MiG-29]] in 2003]]
[[File:North Korean MiG 23.jpg|thumb|North Korean [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23]]]]
[[File:North Korean MiG 21.jpg|thumb|North Korean [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]]]]
[[File:MiG-19 DPRK 1983.JPG|thumb|A North Korean Shenyang J-6]]
[[File:Duxford Air Festival 2017 - mig1 (34842016051).jpg|thumb|The [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15#Variants|FT-2]] is a Chinese built MiG-15 similar to this one]]
[[File:North Korean Mi-26.jpg|thumb|North Korean [[Mil Mi-26|Mi-26]] During Disaster Relief Efforts]]
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Versions
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align: left;"|In service<ref>http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/northkorea/index.php</ref>
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left;"|Comments
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="9" | '''[[Fighter aircraft]]'''
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
| [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29]]
| {{RUS}}
| [[Fighter Aircraft]]<hr>Operational conversion
| MiG-29B<hr>MiG-29UB
| 35<hr>5
| Used to defend [[Pyongyang]]<ref name="KPA Journal">{{cite web|last=Bermudez|first=Joseph|title=KPA Journal Vol.2 No.4|url=http://www.kpajournal.com/storage/KPAJ-2-04.pdf|work=Journal|accessdate=29 May 2011}}</ref>
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23]]
| {{USSR}}
| Fighter Aircraft<hr>[[Attack aircraft]]
| MiG-23ML<hr>MiG-23P
| 46<hr>10
|
|-
|-
| [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]]
|[[MiG-21]]
|[[Soviet Union]]
| {{USSR}}
|[[Jet fighter|fighter]]
| [[Fighter Aircraft]]<hr>Fighter Aircraft<hr>Operational Conversion
|
| MiG-21PFM<hr>MiG-21bis<hr>MiG-21U
|26<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| <big>}</big>150
|
|
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Chengdu F-7]]
| {{CHN}}
| [[Fighter Aircraft]]
| F-7B
| 40
|
|-
| [[Shenyang F-6]]
| {{CHN}}
| [[Fighter Aircraft]]
| Shenyang F-6
| 98<ref name="AMR">{{cite web|url=http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/201102172337151.pdf|title=The AMR Regional Air Force Directory 2011|author=Adam Baddeley|date=February 2011|publisher=Asian Military Review|accessdate=19 July 2011}}</ref>
|
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Shenyang F-5]]
| {{CHN}}
| [[Fighter Aircraft]]
| Shenyang F-5
| 100<ref name="AMR"/>
|
|-
|-
|[[MiG-29]]
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Strike aircraft]]'''
|Soviet Union
|[[Multirole combat aircraft|multirole]]
|
|35<ref name="World Air Forces 2024">{{cite news |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881|title = World Air Forces 2024|newspaper = Flight Global|publisher= flightglobal.com |year=2023 |doi = |access-date= 3 January 2024}}</ref>
|
|-
|-
|[[MiG-23]]
| [[Ilyushin Il-28|Harbin H-5]]
|Soviet Union
| {{CHN}}
| [[Strategic bomber]]
|[[fighter-bomber]]
|
| Harbin H-5
|56<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 80
|
| At least 40 Il-28's are confirmed to exist in a servicable condition at Uiju and Chanjin-Up AFB's. Google Earth Imagery is available.<ref name="Google Earth image here">[http://freekorea.us/2007/04/29/the-north-korean-air-force-by-google-earth/ Google Earth image here]</ref>
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Nanchang Q-5|Nanchang A-5]]
| {{CHN}}
| [[Strike aircraft]]
| Nanchang A-5
| 40
|
|-
|-
| [[Sukhoi Su-25]]
|[[Sukhoi Su-7]]
|Soviet Union
| {{USSR}}
|[[fighter-bomber]]
| [[Strike aircraft]]<hr>Operational conversion
|
| Su-25K<hr>Su-25UBK
|18<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 32<hr>4
|
| Google Earth imagery available<ref name="Google Earth image here"/>
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Sukhoi Su-7]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[Strike aircraft]]
| Su-7BMK
| 18
|
|-
|-
| [[Mil Mi-24]]
|[[Sukhoi Su-25]]
|Soviet Union
| {{USSR}}
|[[Attack aircraft|attack]]
| [[Helicopter gunship]]
| Mi-24D
| 20
|
|
|38<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|4 provide [[Trainer (aircraft)#Operational conversion|conversion training]]
|-
|-
|[[Ilyushin Il-28]]
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer Aircraft]]'''
|Soviet Union
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15]]
|[[medium bomber]]
|[[Ilyushin Il-28#Chinese variants|H-5]]
| {{USSR}}
|80<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| [[Training aircraft]]
|Chinese-built variant designated the H-5
| MiG-15UTI
| 30
|
|-
|-
| [[Nanchang CJ-6]]
| [[Shenyang J-5|Shenyang F-5]]
|[[China]]
| {{CHN}}
|fighter
| [[Training aircraft]]
|
| Nanchang CJ-6
| 106<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 180
|derivative of the [[MiG-17]]
|
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Aero L-39]]
| {{CSK}}
| [[Training aircraft]]
| L-39C
| 12
|
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Shenyang F-5]]
| {{PRC}}
| [[Training aircraft]]
| FT-5
| 135
|-
|-
| [[Shenyang J-6]]
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Military transport aircraft|Transport aircraft]]'''
|-
| China
| fighter
| [[Ilyushin Il-76]]
| [[Shenyang J-6#Variants|F-6]]
| {{USSR}}
| 97<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| Heavy transport
| license built [[MiG-19]]
| Il-76MD
| 3
| Also in service with [[Air Koryo]]
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Ilyushin Il-62]]
| {{USSR}}
| Heavy transport
| Il-62M
| 2
|
|-
|-
| [[Antonov An-24]]
| [[Chengdu J-7]]
| {{UKR}}
| China
| fighter
| Tactical transport
| [[Chengdu J-7#Export variants|F-7]]
| An-24
| 120<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 6
|license built [[MiG-21]]
|
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Antonov An-2]]
| {{USSR}}
| Utility transport
| various
| ca. 300
| Grounded due to high fuel costs<ref>[[Air Forces Monthly]], December 2007 issue, p.27.</ref>
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
| [[Mil Mi-26]]
|-
| {{USSR}}
| [[PAC P-750 XSTOL|PAC P-750]]
| Heavy transport
|[[New Zealand]]
| Mi-26
|transport
| 4
| Google Earth imagery available<ref name="Google Earth image here"/>
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Mil Mi-8]]
| {{USSR}}
| Medium transport
| Mi-8T
| 15
|
|
| 3
| illegally imported via [[China]]<ref>{{cite news |url= https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/96724372/pacific-aerospace-guilty-of-unlawful-exports-to-north-korea |title= Pacific Aerospace guilty of planning unlawful export to North Korea |work= Stuff |date= 11 Oct 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Mil Mi-2]]
| {{POL}}<br>{{PRK}}
| Utility
| various
| 140
| Locally produced
|-style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Harbin Z-5]]
| {{CHN}}
| Medium transport
| Z-5
| 48
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Reconnaissance]] / [[UAV]]'''
|-
| [[Antonov An-24]]
| [[Antonov An-24]]
|[[Ukraine]]
| {{PRK}}
|heavy transport
| AEW
|
| Unknown
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| at least 1<ref>Bermudez, J. "MiG-29 in KPAF Service", ''The KPA Journal'', vol. 2 No. 4, April 2011, p. 2</ref>
|
| Local conversion using a N019 radar from MiG-29 aircraft
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Tupolev Tu-143]]
| {{USSR}}
| UAV
| DR-3
| at least 1<ref>[http://www.defencereviewasia.com/articles/69/ASIAN-REGION-UAV-PROGRAMMES ASIAN REGION UAV PROGRAMMES], Asian Defense Review, 17 December 2010</ref>
|
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Military helicopter|Helicopters]]
| [[MD Helicopters MD 500|MD 500 Defender]]
| {{USA}}
| Scout helicopter
| Unknown
| 87
| Imported from Germany
|-
|-
| [[MQM-107]]
|[[Mil Mi-2|PZL Mi-2]]
|[[Polish People's Republic]]
| {{USA}}
|utility
| UAV
|
| MQM-107D, Local Copies
|48<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| Unknown
|
| Currently developing an attack variant based on smuggled and captured drones from the middle east.
|-
|-
| [[Mil Mi-8]]
|Soviet Union
| utility
|
| 41<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]]'''
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Mil Mi-14]]
| [[Mil Mi-14]]
|Soviet Union
| {{USSR}}
|[[Anti-surface warfare|ASW]] / [[Search and rescue|SAR]]
| ASW helicopter
|
| Mi-14PL
| 8<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 10
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Mil Mi-24]]
|}
|Soviet Union

| attack
==Aircraft subtypes and capabilities==
|[[List of Mil Mi-24 variants|Mi-35]]
[[File:DPRK MiG-29.jpg|thumb|250px|A North Korean MiG-29S, 2003]]
| 20<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
[[File:Mig17-north korea.jpg|thumb|right|A former Indonesian Lim-5 on display in the United States in North Korean markings]]
|

=== Fighters ===

* 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&nbsp;mm cannon and 2 x 23&nbsp;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 obsolete 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 tight turn radius makes it a great and dangerous dogfighter.

* F-6B/MiG-19: The [[Shenyang F-6]]B 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&nbsp;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 clearly 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.

* MiG-21: North Korea operates a large number of [[MiG-21]]PFMs, which are the country's most numerous fighter{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}. 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 [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]], which are necessary to wage a modern air war (other more modern components lack 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-66]] missile. At least 200 MiG-21s, including 30 built in China, are generally accepted as having been delivered to the KPAF.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} 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. 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|date=June 2011}}, 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 Kyrgyzstan.
As of 2007, units known to be operating MiG-21s are<ref>[http://www.scramble.nl/kp.htm North Korean Air Forces (Scramble.nl)]</ref>:
* One squadron of 46th Air Regiment at [[Wonsan]]
* Three squadrons of 56th Air Regiment at [[Toksan]], flying [[Chengdu J-7|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-7]]B is an improved Chinese-made copy of the Soviet MiG-21, armed with [[PL-7]] AA missiles.

* MiG-23ML: The [[MiG-23]]ML 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.

[[File:Adder Missile.svg|thumb|200px|An [[R-77]] AA-12 Adder missile]]

* 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 30 MiG-29B/UB's, 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-29C's<ref name="KPA Journal" />

=== Bombers ===

* Il-28/H-5: Having been developed in the late [[1940s]], the Il-28/H-5 represents an old generation of bomber aircraft. North Korea originally received 24 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&nbsp;kg of bombs, including conventional, biological, chemical or nuclear. Its range is about 2,400&nbsp;km, 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 (900&nbsp;km/h) and a fairly low ceiling (about 13,000 m), 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.

=== Ground attack aircraft ===

* 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&nbsp;kg of armament and is armed with 2x 30&nbsp;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 North's most modern strike/CAS aircraft.

=== Attack helicopters ===

* MD 500D: The MD Helicopters 500D is a civilian helicopter which North Korea imported in 1985 by circumventing United States export controls. Ironically, 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&nbsp;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 can be armed with PK M.Gs and 57&nbsp;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 with its light armor it was 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&nbsp;mm Gatling gun, a door mounted machine gun, and has a payload capacity of 1500&nbsp;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&nbsp;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 ===

* 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&nbsp;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 along North Korea.

Aircraft of the KPAF operate the following missiles:

===Soviet/Russian AAM===

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Manufacturer
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
|-
|[[Mil Mi-26]]
| [[Kaliningrad K-5|Kalinigrad AA-1 Alkali]] || [[Kaliningrad]] || used on [[MiG-17]] and [[MiG-19]]; probably withdrawn?
|Soviet Union
|transport
|
|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|-
|-
|[[MD Helicopters MD 500]]
| [[Vympel K-13|Vympel AA-2 Atoll]] || [[Vympel]] || used on [[MiG-21]]
|[[United States]]
|light utility
|
|84<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| illegally obtained by circumventing [[Office of Export Enforcement|U.S. export controls]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.businessinsider.com/north-koreas-illegal-helicopters-emerge-2013-7 |title= North Korea's Illegally Supplied Helicopters Emerge |publisher= businessinsider.com |date=|accessdate=5 June 2015}}</ref>
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Trainer aircraft]]
| [[Vympel R-23|Vympel AA-7 Apex]] || [[Vympel]] || used on [[MiG-23]]
|-
|-
|[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]]
| [[Molniya R-60|Molyniya AA-8 Aphid]] || [[Molniya]] || used on [[Su-25]], [[MiG-21]]bis, [[MiG-23]] and [[MiG-29]]?
|Soviet Union
|jet trainer
|
|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024" />
|
|-
|-
| [[Shenyang J-5|Shenyang F-5]]
| [[Vympel R-27|Vympel AA-10 Alamo]] || [[Vympel]] || used on [[MiG-29]]
| China
|jet trainer
| [[Shenyang J-5#Variants|FT-5]]
| 135<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|-
|-
|[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15#Variants|Shenyang FT-2]]
| [[Vympel R-73|Vympel AA-11 Archer]] || [[Vympel]] || used on [[MiG-29]]
| China
|}
|jet trainer

|
===Chinese AAM===
|30<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>

|Chinese produced [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15#Variants|MiG-15UTI]]
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Manufacturer
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" |[[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]
| [[PL-2]] || Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory (Hanzhong Air-to-Air Missile Factory)? || Chinese copy [[Vympel K-13|AA-2]] Atoll, used on [[Chengdu J-7|F-7]]
|-
|-
|[[Tupolev Tu-143]]
| [[PL-5]] || Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory (Hanzhong Air-to-Air Missile Factory) || improved version of [[PL-2]], used on [[Chengdu J-7|F-7]]?
|[[Soviet Union]]
| surveillance
|
|
|obtained from [[Syria]]<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Inside North Korea's secret UAV program |url=https://www.defencetalk.com/inside-north-koreas-secret-uav-program-66414/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=DefenceTalk |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Yakovlev Pchela]]
| [[PL-7]] || Factory 331 (Zhuzhou Aeroengine Factory) || Chinese copy of [[R550 Magic|Matra R-550 Magic 1]], used on [[Chengdu J-7|F-7]]?
|[[Russia]]
| reconnaissance
|
|10<ref name=":6" />
|
|-
|Saetbyol-4
|[[North Korea]]
|reconnaissance
|
|
|Copy of [[RQ-4 Global Hawk]]<ref name="38north4aug23">{{cite web|url=https://www.iiss.org/en/online-analysis/military-balance/2023/08/north-korea-plays-an-imitation-game-with-new-uavs/ |title=North Korea plays an imitation game with new UAVs|first=Joseph |date=2012-08-18|access-date=2024-01-06|last=Dempsey|publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]}}</ref>
|-
|Saetbyol-9
|[[North Korea]]
|multi-purpose [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|attack]]
|
|
|Copy of [[MQ-9 Reaper]]<ref name="38north4aug23"/>
|}
|}


== Air Defense ==
=== Armament ===
[[File:R-23T missile on MiG-23 underwing pylon.jpg|thumb|right|The KPAAF use the R-23 missile similar to this one]]
North Korea has deployed a wide range of SAM and AAA systems. SAM systems are entirely of Soviet design lineage with some locally produced variants, while AA artillery is from both Soviet and local suppliers. The DPRK has the densest defence network in the world, with air defence pads deployed virtually around every town and major city. SAM systems vary from the oldest Soviet examples - SA-1 Guild to modern and highly accurate short-range mobile systems such as the SA-13 Gopher, the medium-range SA-6 Gainful and SA-17 Gadfly. Aging SA-5 Gammon and modern SA-10 long-range systems are also deployed.<ref name="sankei.jp.msn.com">[http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/korea/101012/kor1010120139000-n1.htm North Korea demonstrating advanced missiles at military parade] (in Japanese), 12.10.2010</ref> MANPADS are used extensively, with over 15,000 units fielded according to the 1995 Pentagon report on the country. North Korea has one of the best hardened integrated air defence systems (IADS) in the world, with many of its radars and launchers positioned on fortified elevating platforms and its aircraft positioned in hardened bunkers.<ref>[http://www.defencenews.com.au/defence-today-feature-report.cfm Collapse of Libya's air defence], Defence Today, 2011. ''Unlike Syria, Libya and Iran - who largely deploy their SAMs from unhardened and often rudimentary open fixed SAM sites - the DPRK's sites are amongst the best hardened globally, with reports of engagement radars mounted on elevating platforms, to permit the radars to be hidden in underground shafts to defeat air attacks.''</ref>

* [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] system summary:
** 8+ long-range SA-10/(KN-06?)
** 24 long-range SA-5
** Up to 440 medium range SA-1, SA-2 and SA-3
** Unknown number of medium-range SA-4, SA-6 and SA-17
** At least 15,000 MANPADS

{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Manufacturer
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Number
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Inventory
! style="text-align: left;"|Range
|-
|-
! colspan="5" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Air-to-air missile]]
| [[S-25 Berkut|SA-1 Guild]] || [[KB-1]] || Probably used to defend Pyongyang || 72 launchers delivered in 1961<ref name="History of the KPAF">[http://www.airwar.ru/history/af/kndr/kndr.html History of the KPAF] (in Russian), airwar.ru</ref><ref name="militaryparitet.com">[http://www.militaryparitet.com/nomen/russia/rocket/rocketcomplex/data/ic_nomenrussiarocketrocketcomplex/4/ Russian stationary air defense missile systems] (in Russian)</ref> || 35&nbsp;km
|-
|-
|[[K-13 (missile)|K-13]]
| [[SA-2|SA-2 Guideline]] || [[Lavochkin]] || || up to 240 launchers || 45&nbsp;km
|[[Soviet Union]]
|[[air-to-air missile]]
|1050 missiles<ref name="sipri1" />
|-
|-
|[[R-23 (missile)|R-23]]
| [[SA-3|SA-3 Goa]] || [[Aleksei Mihailovich Isaev]] || || 32 batteries (128 launchers) || 35&nbsp;km
|[[Soviet Union]]
|[[air-to-air missile]]
|250 missiles<ref name="sipri1" />
|-
|-
| [[R-27 (air-to-air missile)|R-27]]
| [[SA-4|SA-4 Ganef]] || [[Kalinin Machine Building Plant]] || || Unknown || 55&nbsp;km
| [[Soviet Union]]
| [[air-to-air missile]]
|60 medium range missiles<ref name="sipri1">[http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php Trade Registers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |date=2010-04-14 }}. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 29 May 2015</ref>
|-
|-
|[[R-60 (missile)|R-60]]
| [[SA-5 Gammon]] || [[NPO Almaz]] || || 24 launchers<ref name="militaryparitet.com"/> || 300&nbsp;km
|[[Soviet Union]]
|[[air-to-air missile]]
|190 missiles<ref name="sipri1" />
|-
|-
|[[R-73 (missile)|R-73]]
| [[SA-6|SA-6 Gainful]] || [[Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant]] || || Unknown<ref name="History of the KPAF"/> || 24&nbsp;km
| [[Soviet Union]]
| [[air-to-air missile]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Kh-35|KN-05]]
| [[SA-7|SA-7 Grail]] || [[KBM]], [[Kolomna]] || Local variant, known as Hwasung-Chong in use || || At least 3,5&nbsp;km
| [[Russia]] / [[North Korea]]
| [[air-launched cruise missile]]
| <ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=--rqDwAAQBAJ&q=kn05&pg=PA316 | title=Kim Jong Un and the Bomb: Survival and Deterrence in North Korea | isbn=978-0-19-006036-7 | last1=Panda | first1=Ankit | date=15 July 2020 | publisher=Oxford University Press }}</ref>
|-
|-
|AGP-250
| [[S-300 (missile)|SA-10 Grumble]] ? || [[NPO Almaz]] || Produced locally ?<nowiki>*</nowiki> || 8+? || 90&nbsp;km?
| [[North Korea]]
| [[glide bomb]]
| 250&nbsp;kg GNSS guided bomb<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/06/sudan-says-it-ceased-all-military-cooperation-with-north-korea/ | title=Sudan says it has ceased all military cooperation with North Korea &#124; NK News | date=7 June 2018 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[9K35 Strela-10|SA-13 Gopher]] || [[KB Tochmash]] || || Unknown<ref name="History of the KPAF"/> || 5&nbsp;km
|-
| [[SA-14|SA-14 Gremlin]] || [[KBM]], [[Kolomna]] || || || 4,1&nbsp;km
|-
| [[SA-16|SA-16 Gimlet]] || [[KBM]] || Produced locally || 550+ || 5,2&nbsp;km
|-
| [[SA-17|SA-17 Gadfly]] || [[Almaz-Antey]] || Produced locally || ? (500 missiles manufactured as of 2006, no. of launchers unknown)<ref>[http://www.polit.ru/analytics/2006/10/16/kndr.html Армия Ким Чен Ира], Анатолий Цыганок. ПОЛИТ.РУ, October 16, 2006</ref> || 30&nbsp;km
|}
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> On the 10 October 2010 military parade 8 examples of a new SAM system, complete with [[Flap Lid]] radars, was displayed. North Korea announced it to be "an anti-ballistic defense system", capable of shooting down aircraft at distances of 90 kilometers and at altitudes of up to 30 kilometers. Japanese media reported the system to be a locally designed S-300 derivative, although this is yet to be confirmed.<ref name="sankei.jp.msn.com"/>


===Air defence===
* [[Anti-aircraft artillery]] (11,000 units)


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Name
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|Number
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|Type
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Notes
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]]
| [[KS-30]] || Heavy 130&nbsp;mm AA gun ||
|-
|-
|[[S-75 Dvina|S-75]]
| [[KS-19]] || Heavy 100&nbsp;mm AA gun || 500
|[[Soviet Union]]
|[[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] system
|1950 missiles<ref name="sipri1" />
|
|-
|-
| [[S-125 Neva/Pechora|S-125]]
| [[KS-12]] || Heavy 85&nbsp;mm AA gun || 400
| [[Soviet Union]]
| [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] system
| 300 missiles<ref name="sipri1"/>
|
|-
|-
|[[S-200 (missile)|S-200]]
| M-1985 || SP Medium 57&nbsp;mm AA gun ||
| [[Soviet Union]]
| [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] system
|75 missiles<ref name="sipri1" />
|
|-
|-
|[[KN-06|Pon'gae-5]]
| [[ZSU-57-2]] || Twin SP Medium 57&nbsp;mm AA guns ||
| [[North Korea]]
| [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] system
|Unknown quantity of missiles
|Based on [[S-300 missile system|S-300]] PMU/PMU-1
|-
|-
|[[Pongae-6]]
| [[57 mm AZP S-60|S-60]] || Medium 57&nbsp;mm AA gun ||
| [[North Korea]]
| [[Surface to air missile|SAM]]
system
|
|Tested in 2022. Based on [[S-400]]
|-
|-
|[[S-75 Dvina|KN-13]]
| M-1992 || SP Medium 37&nbsp;mm AA gun ||
|[[Soviet Union]] / [[North Korea]]
|[[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] system
|
|S-75 with infrared seeker.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=--rqDwAAQBAJ&q=kn13&pg=PA151 | title=Kim Jong Un and the Bomb: Survival and Deterrence in North Korea | isbn=978-0-19-006036-7 | last1=Panda | first1=Ankit | date=15 July 2020 | publisher=Oxford University Press }}</ref>
|}

===Military satellites===

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|Type
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Notes
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Reconnaissance satellite]]s
| M-1939 || Medium 37&nbsp;mm AA gun || 1,000
|-
|-
|[[Malligyong-1]]
| M-1992 || Light 30&nbsp;mm AA gun ||
|[[North Korea]]
|-
|
| M-1992 || Light 23&nbsp;mm AA gun ||
|-
|
|
| [[ZSU-23-4]] || Multiple 23&nbsp;mm SP AA gun || >100
|-
| [[ZU-23-2]] || Twin 23&nbsp;mm AA gun || 1,500
|-
| M-1984 || Multiple SP 14,5&nbsp;mm AA machine gun ||
|-
| [[ZPU-4]] || Multiple 14,5&nbsp;mm AA machine gun ||
|}
|}


==Ranks and uniforms==
== Capabilities ==
The KPAF operates a wide range of fighter and attack aircraft. North Korea is one of the few nations still operating the obsolete [[MiG-17]] and [[MiG-19]] fighters, yet it operates more modern and fairly capable [[MiG-23]] and [[MiG-29]] fighters. The KPAF's most numerous fighter is the [[MiG-21]], which is somewhat obsolete but still a worthy foe in air-to-air combat, if maintained properly and crewed by experienced pilots. An assessment by US analysts GlobalSecurity.org reported that the air force ''"has a marginal capability for defending North Korean airspace and a limited ability to conduct air operations against South Korea."''<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/airforce.htm Korean People's Army Air Force - North Korea<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Yet, North Korea operates a wide variety of air defence equipment, from short-range MANPADS and [[ZPU-4]] machine guns, to long-range [[SA-5 Gammon]] SAM systems and large-calibre AA artillery guns. DPRK has one of the densest air defence networks in the world. [[Ilyushin Il-28]] Beagle bombers provide a medium-range attack platform, despite being generally obsolete. A large part of the ground attack aircraft are kept in heavily fortified hangars, some of which are capable of withstanding a nearby nuclear blast. Stealth capacity is known in the KPAF through researching in radar-absorbing paint and inventory deception.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/7960218/North-Korea-develops-stealth-paint-to-camouflage-fighter-jets.html North Korea 'develops stealth paint to camouflage fighter jets']</ref>


===Ranks===
==Rank and uniforms==
The Korean People's Air Force has five categories of ranks: general officers, senior officers, junior officers, non-commissioned officers, and airmen.
===Rank===
The Korean People's Air Force has five categories of ranks; general officers, senior officers, junior officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and airmen.


====Enlisted====
====Enlisted====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
The soldier and NCO ranks are airman, lance corporal, corporal, lance sergeant, sergeant, staff sergeant, technical sergeant and warrant officer.
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}

{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/North Korea}}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:100%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;width:100%"
|-
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
|-
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! ||colspan=4|NCOs||colspan=4|Soldiers
|-
|align="center" rowspan=1|
|align="center"| [[Image:Teukmu-sang-sa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Sang-sa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Jung-sa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Ha-sa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Sangkeub-byeongsa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:JungKeub-byeongsa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Hakeub-byeongsa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Jeonsa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|- align="center"
|Ranks in Korean ||''T'ŭkmu-sangsa ''<br> 특무상사 ||''Sangsa''<br>상사 ||'' Chungsa ''<br>중사 ||''Hasa''<br>하사 ||''Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa ''<br>상급병사 ||''Chungŭp-pyŏngsa''<br>중급병사||''Hagŭp-pyŏngsa''<br>하급병사 ||''Chŏnsa''<br>전사||
|- align="center" rowspan=2
|Ranks ||[[Warrant Officer]]||[[Technical Sergeant]] ||[[Staff Sergeant]]||[[Sergeant]]||[[Lance Sergeant]]||[[Corporal]]||[[Lance Corporal]]||[[Airman]]||
|}
|}


====Officers====
====Officers====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/North Korea}}
|}


====Marshals====
Junior officer ranks are junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant and captain.
Occasionally KPA Air Force officers are promoted above General of the Air Force. In that case, they wear an army-style uniform, since ranks from Vice-Marshal and above are not divided into army, navy and air force.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nknews.org/2017/03/north-koreas-baffling-personalized-rankings-explained/?t=1489885329050|title= North Korea's baffling personalized rank insignia, explained|last= Tertitskiy|first= Fyodor|date= March 14, 2017|publisher=[[NK News]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170319113704/https://www.nknews.org/2017/03/north-koreas-baffling-personalized-rankings-explained/?t=1489885329050|archive-date= March 19, 2017|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}</ref>

Senior officer ranks are major, lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier.

General officer ranks are major general, lieutenant general, colonel general, and general of the air force.


{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:100%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;width:100%"
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:100%; margin:0 12px 12px 0; width:100%;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! ||colspan=2|Supreme commanders||colspan=2|Marshals
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:DPRK-Army-OF-12.svg|50px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:DPRK-Army-OF-11.svg|50px]]
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:DPRK-Army-OF-10b.svg|50px]]
! ||colspan=4|Generals||colspan=8|Officers
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:DPRK-Army-OF-10a.svg|50px]]
|-
|align="center" rowspan=1|
|- style="text-align:center;"
|Ranks in Korean || ''Tae wonsu''<br />대원수 ||''Konghwaguk Wonsu ''<br />공화국원수 ||''Wonsu ''<br />원수 ||''Ch'asu ''<br />차수
|align="center"| [[Image:Dae-jang (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|- style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"
|align="center"| [[Image:Sang-jang (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|Ranks ||[[Taewonsu|Generalissimo]]||[[Wonsu|Marshal of the DPRK]]||[[Wonsu|Marshal of the KPA]]||[[Chasu|Vice Marshal]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Jung-jan (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:So-jang (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Dae-chwa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Sang-Chwa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Jung-Jwa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:So-Jwa (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Dae-wi (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Sang-wi (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:Jung-wi (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|align="center"| [[Image:So-wi (Air Force).gif|40px]]
|- align="center"
|Ranks in Korean ||'' Daejang ''<br>대장 ||'' Sangjang''<br>상장||''Chungjang''<br>중장||''Sojang''<br>소장||'' Daejwa ''<br>대좌||''Sangjwa ''<br>상좌||''Jungjwa''<br>중좌||''Sojwa''<br>소좌||''Daewi''<br>대위 ||''Sangwi''<br>상위 ||''Jungwi''<br>중위||''Sowi''<br>소위
|- align="center" rowspan=2
|Ranks ||[[General of the Air Force (United States)|General of the Air Force]]||[[Colonel General]]||[[Lieutenant General]]||[[Major general|Major General]]||[[Brigadier]]||[[Colonel]]||[[Lieutenant Colonel]]||[[Major]]||[[Captain (OF-2)|Captain]]||Senior [[Lieutenant]]||[[Lieutenant]]||Junior [[Lieutenant]]
|}
|}

=== Uniforms ===
[[File:Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Pays Congratulatory Visit to Helicopter Unit of KPA Air Force 1616.jpg|thumb|KPA Air Force personnel in uniform having an photograph session with [[Kim Jong Un]]]]
Generally as a separate service in the KPA, the service wears the same KPA uniforms but with air force blue peaked caps (especially for officers) or kepi-styled caps for men and berets for women, worn with their full dress uniforms. Pilots wear helmets and flight suits when on parade and when in flight duty while air defense personnel wear the same duty dress uniforms as their ground forces counterparts but with air force blue borders on the caps.


== Defections ==
== Defections ==
Due to the political condition of North Korea, several North Korean pilots from the KPAF [[Defection|defected]] with their jets. These incidents include:
Due to the political condition of North Korea, several North Korean pilots from the KPAF [[Defection|defected]] with their jets. These incidents include:
*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 ($733,813 in 2006 dollars) and the right to reside in the United States. He is now a [[United States nationality law|U.S. citizen]].
* On September 21, 1953, 21-year-old [[No Kum-sok]], a senior [[lieutenant]], flew his [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]] across to the South and landed at [[Gimpo International Airport|Kimpo Air Base]] near [[Seoul]]. Considered an intelligence bonanza, since this fighter plane was then the best the [[Communist Bloc|Communist bloc]] had. No was awarded a sum of $100,000 (${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|100000|1953}}}} in {{inflation-year|US}} dollars) and the right to reside in the [[United States]]. He was awarded [[United States nationality law|American citizenship]].
*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.
* 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]].
* 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 [[Republic of Korea Air Force]] (ROKAF), eventually becoming a [[colonel]] and teaching 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 (land and air)|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. 400 thousand US dollars). He is now a colonel in the ROKAF and is an academic instructor.<ref>[http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/11/205_76423.html NK pilot defector promoted to colonel]</ref>
* On May 23, 1996, [[Captain (land and air)|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. 400 thousand [[United States dollar|US dollars]]). He is now a colonel in the ROKAF and is an academic instructor.<ref name="The Korea Times">{{cite web|url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/11/205_76423.html|title=NK pilot defector promoted to colonel|date=16 November 2010|access-date=16 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125165846/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/11/205_76423.html|archive-date=25 November 2010|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Air Koryo]]
* [[Air Koryo]]
* [[Jebi Sports Group]], football club of the KPAF
* [[Jebi Sports Club]]
* [[Korean People's Army]]
* [[North Korean Ground Force]]
* [[North Korean Ground Force]]
* [[North Korean Navy]]
* [[North Korean Navy]]
* [[Republic of Korea Air Force]]


== References ==
== References ==
<!--<nowiki>
<!--<nowiki>
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how
to generate footnotes using the <ref> and </ref> tags, and the template below
to generate footnotes using the <ref name="auto1"> and </ref> tags, and the template below
</nowiki>-->
</nowiki>-->
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Air force of North Korea}}
* [http://freekorea.us/2007/04/29/the-north-korean-air-force-by-google-earth/ The North Korean Air Force by Google Earth:] a compilation of Google Earth images of North Korean fighters, bombers, ground attack aircraft, transports, and special-operations aircraft.
* [http://freekorea.us/2007/04/29/the-north-korean-air-force-by-google-earth/ The North Korean Air Force by Google Earth:] a compilation of Google Earth images of North Korean fighters, bombers, ground attack aircraft, transports, and special-operations aircraft
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/airforce.htm Globalsecurity.org]
* [http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/kldr-cold.html Korean People's Air Force Victory record] by Jan Josef Safarik


{{North Korean armed forces}}
{{North Korean armed forces}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Space forces}}
{{Politics of outer space}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Air forces by country]]
[[Category:Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force| ]]
[[Category:Military of North Korea| ]]
[[Category:Korean People's Army| ]]
[[Category:Aviation in North Korea]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1945]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1947]]

[[ar:قوة الدفاع الذاتي البرية اليابانية]]
[[bg:Военновъздушни сили на Северна Корея]]
[[cs:Letectvo Korejské lidové armády]]
[[es:Fuerza Aérea del Ejército Popular Coreano]]
[[ko:조선인민군 공군]]
[[it:Chosŏn Inmin Kun Kongun]]
[[ms:Tentera Udara Rakyat Korea]]
[[ja:朝鮮人民軍空軍]]
[[pl:Północnokoreańskie Siły Powietrzne]]
[[ru:Военно-воздушные силы Корейской Народно-Демократической Республики]]

Latest revision as of 15:47, 25 December 2024

Korean People's Army Air Force
조선인민군 공군
朝鮮人民軍 空軍
Chosŏn-inmin'gun kong'gun
Patch of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti Air Force
Founded1946; 78 years ago (1946)
Country North Korea
AllegianceWorkers' Party of Korea
TypeAir force
Space force
Role
Size
  • 110,000 active personnel
  • 950 aircraft [1]
  • 1 satellite
Part ofKorean People's Army
HeadquartersPyongyang
Engagements
Commanders
CommanderGeneral Kim Kwang-hyok[4]
Notable
commanders
  • Vice Marshal Cho Myong-rok
  • Colonel-General Oh Gum-chol
Insignia
Roundel
FlagFront:

Back:
Aircraft flown
AttackSu-25, Su-7, Nanchang Q-5
BomberHarbin H-5
FighterShenyang J-5, Shenyang J-6, Chengdu F-7, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29,
HelicopterMD 500, Mi-2, Mi-8, Mi-14, Mi-24, Mi-26
TrainerFT-2, FT-5
TransportAn-24, PAC P-750

The Korean People's Army Air Force (KPAF; Korean: 조선인민군 공군, romanized: Chosŏn-inmin'gun konggun; Hanja: 朝鮮人民軍 空軍 ) is the unified military aviation force of North Korea. It is the second largest branch of the Korean People's Army comprising an estimated 110,000 members.[5] As of 2024, it is estimated to possess some 570 combat aircraft, 200 helicopters, and a few transporters, mostly of decades-old Soviet and Chinese origin.[6][7][8] Its primary task is to defend North Korean airspace. In April 2022, the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force name was changed to Korean People's Army Air Force.[9]

History

[edit]

Early years (1945–1949)

[edit]

The Korean People's Army Air Force began as the "Korean Aviation Society (조선 항공대)" in 1945. It was organized along the lines of flying clubs in the Soviet Union. In 1946, the society became a military organization and became an aviation division of the Korean People's Army (KPA). It became a branch of the army in its own right in November 1948.[10] Training personnel for what was now known as the "Korean People's Air Force Air Corps" was a major hurdle, with the Soviets reporting in May 1950 that of the 120 trained pilots, only 32 were combat qualified.[11] The only experienced pilots in North Korea before this were those who flew for the IJAAF. These pilots were however rejected by society and the regime. Nevertheless, on June 25, 1950, the KPAF started flying support missions for the Invasion of South Korea.[11]

Korean War: Invasion of South Korea and UN Offensive (June – November 1950)

[edit]

During the early period of the war, the Il-10 Beasts were the main bombers used in the strikes against airfields in South Korea, while Yak-9/9P Franks as well other trainer and fighter aircraft were used in CAP and Strafing attacks. North Korea's Air Force also at that time had many Japanese aircraft including a Ki-54 transport.[11] Only one encounter with USAF aircraft occurred when two unknown North Korean aircraft attacked two F-82 Twin Mustangs. The KPAF aircraft were out of range and thus failed to score any kills.[11]

On June 27, a USAF F-82 shot down a Yak-11 Trainer that was escorted by four Yak-9s. On the 29th, after Seoul fell, a strike was conducted on Suwon Airfield by 3 Il-10s and 6 Yak-9s, destroying an American C-54 Skymaster on the ground. A second strike on Suwon was however intercepted by F-80C Shooting Stars.[11]

Throughout July and August, the KPAF continued in supporting the ground offensive near the Pusan Perimeter. During that time, they came into increasing contact with USAF and USN jet aircraft, resulting in more losses.[12]

An abandoned NKPAF Ilyushin Il-10 captured by UN forces at Kimpo airfield in September 1950.
An abandoned NKPAF Ilyushin Il-10 captured by UN forces at Kimpo Airfield in September 1950.

During the first-ever strike by carrier-borne jet aircraft on July 3, 1950, VF-51, from USS Valley Forge CV-45, claimed the first kill by a naval jet when an F9F-3 Panther shot down a KPAF Yak-9P.[12] On that day, many KPAF Yak-9Ps were caught on the ground scrambling, with many reportedly taking off towards each other. In the end, the Pyongyang, Pyongyang East and Onjong-Ni Airfields (which were targeted in the strike), were hit successfully while the KPAF lost many of their aircraft.[12] At the same time, USAF B-29 Superfortresses, P-80Cs, F-51 Mustangs and B-26 Invaders began to attack ground targets inside North Korea, encountering very little resistance from the KPAF.[12]

Soviet sources reported that the KPAF was no longer operating after August 10 and was finally wiped out by a strike by USN aircraft on August 22. For their part, the KPAF only shot down 3 US aircraft in air combat (a B-29, an L-4 and an L-5). On November 6, 1950, two Yak-9Ps were shot down by F-51Ds from 67th FBS became the last KPAF propeller aircraft lost.[12]

Reorganization (November 1950–1953)

[edit]

After the heavy losses encountered in July and August 1950, the Soviets began to train the North Koreans to fly the MiG-15 Fagot, although the Soviets were the first to fly the MiG against the UN Forces.[13] Although many North Korean pilots were experienced when they flew the MiG-15, the Soviets admitted that most were highly inexperienced.[14]

Post-Korean War

[edit]

The KPAF has on occasion deployed abroad.[15] It deployed a fighter squadron to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.[16] Kim Il Sung reportedly told the North Korean pilots "to fight in the war as if the Vietnamese sky were their own."[17]

On April 15, 1969, MiG-21s of the KPAF shot down a Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star in international waters, in the Sea of Japan.[18] In 1973, a North Korean flight of MiG-21s deployed to Bir Arida to help defend southern Egypt during the October 1973 War.[19] In 1990–91, North Korea activated four forward air bases near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Organization

[edit]

Capabilities

[edit]

According to a 2021 report from the US Defense Intelligence Agency, the most modern assets of the KPAF are the MiG-29 and MiG-23, while the Su-25 ground attack and Ilyushin Il-28 bomber aircraft are also deemed by the DIA as having some capability. The KPAF also maintains obsolete types including the MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-19, and MiG-21. The DIA assesses that the North Koreans would be unable to prevail in combat against US forces "overwhelming advantages in power projection, strategic air superiority, and precision-guided standoff strike capability," and would face "considerable difficulty" against South Korean air defences, relying mostly on Antonov An-2 transports for inserting special forces into South Korea and UAVs for intelligence gathering and supplementing the air force ground attack capabilities.[7]

In 2024, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command told reporters that North Korea is set to receive MiG-29 and Su-27 from Russia in exchange for troops for its invasion of Ukraine. Paparo also stated that while these are older fourth-generation fighters, they're still "formidable". The War Zone states that while it's unlikely that Russia will be able to transfer these aircraft on a short-term at least (with the Russian aerospace industry busy keeping the Russian Air Force fleets operational during the war in Ukraine), the delivery of these aircraft would provide a "modest − but badly needed − modernization" for the KPAF.[20]

North Korea operates a wide variety of air defense equipment, from short-range MANPADS such as 9K34 Strela-3, 9K38 Igla and ZPU-4 heavy machine guns, high-altitude upgraded S-75 Dvina,[21] to long-range SA-5 Gammon and Pon'gae-5 SAM systems and large-calibre AA artillery guns.[22][23] North Korea has one of the densest air defence networks in the world.[22][21] Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle bombers provide a medium-range attack platform, despite being generally obsolete, although it is likely they have the ability to launch Kh-35 and P-15 Termit missiles.[24] A large part of the ground attack aircraft are kept in heavily fortified hangars, some of which are capable of withstanding a nearby nuclear blast. Stealth capacity is known in the KPAF through researching in radar-absorbing paint and inventory deception.[25]

It has been noted that the North Korean Air Force operates a few MD-500 helicopters that were exported to North Korea by West German merchants through Soviet vessels in the 1980s.[26] Several were seen equipped with Soviet AT-3 anti-tank missiles during a military parade commemorating 60 years since Korean War armistice.[27] They later made another public appearance at the Wonsan Air Festival in which they were seen sporting the new green camouflage paint scheme that has also been incorporated on An-2s and Mi-17s that have also been displayed at the air show.[28]

The KPAF possesses precision guided munitions such as Kh-25 and Kh-29 air to ground missiles along jamming pods such as SPS-141 for SAM suppression.[29] At least some of Il-28's/H-5's bombers are capable of launching air launched variant of Kumsong-3 anti-ship cruise missiles with known flight tests done in 2008 and 2011.[30] Ground launched coastal defense variant of Kumsong-3 has range of 240 kilometers.[31] The KPAF still incorporates many of the original Soviet air tactics, as well as North Korean experience from the UN bombings during the Korean War.

Personnel

[edit]

From 1978 to 1995, General Jo Myong-rok was the commander of the air force. In October 1995, he was promoted to vice-marshal and appointed Chief of the KPA General Political Bureau and a member of the Korean Workers' Party Central Military Committee. His place as commander of the Air Force was taken by Colonel General O Kum-chol.

Annual flying hours

[edit]

The number of annual flying hours (AFH) per pilot is, like almost every other aspect of the KPAF, very hard to estimate. Most sources on the subject abstain from giving hard numbers, but all of them estimate the average annual flying hours per pilot as being 'low' to 'very low'. The number of annual flying hours is very important in estimating the individual skill and experience of the pilots of an air force: more annual flying hours suggests better trained pilots. Most estimates present a rather grim picture: AFH per pilot for the KPAF are said to be only 15 or 25[32] hours per pilot each year - comparable to the flying hours of air forces in ex-Soviet countries in the early 1990s. In comparison, most NATO fighter pilots fly at least 150 hours a year. Ground training, both in classrooms, on instructional airframes or in a flight simulator can only substitute for 'the real thing' to a certain degree, and the low number of modern jet trainers in the KPAF arsenal points to a very modest amount of flying time for the formation of new pilots.

There are a number of possible explanations for the low AFH: concern over the aging of equipment, scarcity of spare parts - especially for the older aircraft - difficulties with worn airframes, fear of defection and the scarcity of fuel are all contributing factors. It is very likely however that some 'elite' pilots and regiments receive considerably more flying hours. Especially those equipped with modern aircraft and tasked with homeland defence - like the 57th regiment flying MiG-29s and the 60th regiment flying MiG-23s - are receiving multiple times the average AFH per pilot; however, aging equipment, the scarcity of fuel and the general economic crisis in North Korea will affect these regiments as well, and keep their AFH low compared to NATO AFH.

Agence France-Presse reported on January 23, 2012, that the KPAF had conducted more flight training than average in 2011.

The Chosun Ilbo reported on March 29, 2012, that the KPAF had dramatically increased the number of flights to 650 per day.[33]

Tongil News reported on July 20, 2013, that the KPAF's fighter jets and helicopters had conducted 700 sorties a day for 11 days as reported by a source in South Korean government on March 13 after the Key Resolve military exercise started on March 11. Seven hundred hours of sorties is considered by the United States military as the capability to wage all-out war.[34]

Structure

[edit]
Korean People's Army Air Force Air Bases.

Following is a list of bases where North Korean Army Air Force aircraft are permanently based.[35][36]

Air bases

[edit]
Northwestern area (1st Air Combat Division, HQ Kaechon)
Base Location Units Notes
Uiju Airfield Uiju County 40°08′59″N 124°29′53″E / 40.14972°N 124.49806°E / 40.14972; 124.49806 24th Bomber Regiment Il-28 (Harbin H-5s)
Panghyon Naamsi 39°55′57.517″N 125°12′24.804″E / 39.93264361°N 125.20689000°E / 39.93264361; 125.20689000 49th Fighter Regiment F-5A(MiG-17F)
Taechon Airfield 39°54′12″N 125°29′13″E / 39.90333°N 125.48694°E / 39.90333; 125.48694 5th Air Transport Wing
Kaech'on Airfield 39°44′45″N 125°53′43″E / 39.74583°N 125.89528°E / 39.74583; 125.89528 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 / 39.49722°N 125.97556°E / 39.49722; 125.97556 60th Air Fighter Wing (1 ACC)
Air Transport Wing (5 TD)		 MiG-23ML/MiG-23UB/Mig-29Bs/MiG-29SEs/MiG-15UTI/Mig-21[37]
H500D/H500E/500D.
This base was where most new Soviet fighter
aircraft were delivered during the 1960s.[38]
Samjangkol Air Transport Wing (6 TD) Mi-2
Sunchon Airport South Pyongan Province 39°24′43″N 125°53′25″E / 39.41194°N 125.89028°E / 39.41194; 125.89028 55th Air Fighter Wing (1 ACC) Su-25K/Su-25UBK/Su-7BMK
MiG-29/MiG-29UB[39]
Kanch'on Air Transport Wing (6 TD) Mi-4/Z-5/Mi-8/Mi-17/Mi-2
West Coast and Pyongyang area (1st Air Combat Division) - HQ: Kaechon

Pyongyang is also the location of HQ, KPAAF[40]

  • 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)[41]
  • 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)
West coast and Pyongyang area (5th Transport Division) - HQ: Taechon
  • 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.
DMZ area (3rd Air Combat Division) - HQ: Hwangju
  • 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)
East Coast area (2nd Air Combat Division) - HQ: Toksan
  • Toksan - 56th Air Regiment {Fighter}(MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7)[42]
  • 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)
East Coast area (6th Transport Division) - HQ: Sondok
  • 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)
Far Northeast area (8th Training Division) - HQ: Orang

Aircraft

[edit]

Current inventory

[edit]
A North Korean MiG-29 in 2003
North Korean MiG-23
North Korean MiG-21
A North Korean Shenyang J-6
The FT-2 is a Chinese built MiG-15 similar to this one
North Korean Mi-26 During Disaster Relief Efforts
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
MiG-21 Soviet Union fighter 26[6]
MiG-29 Soviet Union multirole 35[6]
MiG-23 Soviet Union fighter-bomber 56[6]
Sukhoi Su-7 Soviet Union fighter-bomber 18[6]
Sukhoi Su-25 Soviet Union attack 38[6] 4 provide conversion training
Ilyushin Il-28 Soviet Union medium bomber H-5 80[6] Chinese-built variant designated the H-5
Shenyang F-5 China fighter 106[6] derivative of the MiG-17
Shenyang J-6 China fighter F-6 97[6] license built MiG-19
Chengdu J-7 China fighter F-7 120[6] license built MiG-21
Transport
PAC P-750 New Zealand transport 3 illegally imported via China[46]
Antonov An-24 Ukraine heavy transport 1[6]
Helicopters
PZL Mi-2 Polish People's Republic utility 48[6]
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union utility 41[6]
Mil Mi-14 Soviet Union ASW / SAR 8[6]
Mil Mi-24 Soviet Union attack Mi-35 20[6]
Mil Mi-26 Soviet Union transport 4[6]
MD Helicopters MD 500 United States light utility 84[6] illegally obtained by circumventing U.S. export controls[47]
Trainer aircraft
MiG-15 Soviet Union jet trainer 4[6]
Shenyang F-5 China jet trainer FT-5 135[6]
Shenyang FT-2 China jet trainer 30[6] Chinese produced MiG-15UTI
UAV
Tupolev Tu-143 Soviet Union surveillance obtained from Syria[48]
Yakovlev Pchela Russia reconnaissance 10[48]
Saetbyol-4 North Korea reconnaissance Copy of RQ-4 Global Hawk[49]
Saetbyol-9 North Korea multi-purpose attack Copy of MQ-9 Reaper[49]

Armament

[edit]
The KPAAF use the R-23 missile similar to this one
Name Origin Type Inventory
Air-to-air missile
K-13 Soviet Union air-to-air missile 1050 missiles[50]
R-23 Soviet Union air-to-air missile 250 missiles[50]
R-27 Soviet Union air-to-air missile 60 medium range missiles[50]
R-60 Soviet Union air-to-air missile 190 missiles[50]
R-73 Soviet Union air-to-air missile
KN-05 Russia / North Korea air-launched cruise missile [51]
AGP-250 North Korea glide bomb 250 kg GNSS guided bomb[52]

Air defence

[edit]
Name Origin Type In service Notes
SAM
S-75 Soviet Union SAM system 1950 missiles[50]
S-125 Soviet Union SAM system 300 missiles[50]
S-200 Soviet Union SAM system 75 missiles[50]
Pon'gae-5 North Korea SAM system Unknown quantity of missiles Based on S-300 PMU/PMU-1
Pongae-6 North Korea SAM

system

Tested in 2022. Based on S-400
KN-13 Soviet Union / North Korea SAM system S-75 with infrared seeker.[53]

Military satellites

[edit]
Name Origin Type In service Notes
Reconnaissance satellites
Malligyong-1 North Korea

Ranks and uniforms

[edit]

Ranks

[edit]

The Korean People's Air Force has five categories of ranks: general officers, senior officers, junior officers, non-commissioned officers, and airmen.

Enlisted

[edit]
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Korean People's Army Air Force[54]
특무상사
T'ŭkmu-sangsa 		상사
Sangsa 		중사
Chungsa 		하사
Hasa 		상급병사
Sanggŭp-pyŏngsa 		중급병사
Chungŭp-pyŏngsa 		하급병사
Hagŭp-pyŏngsa 		전사
Chŏnsa

Officers

[edit]
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
 Korean People's Army Air Force[54]
 Marshal of the KPAF Vice marshal Captain General Superior General Middle General Junior General Captain Commander Superior Commander Middle Commander Junior Commander Captain Lieutenant Superior Lieutenant Middle Lieutenant Junior Lieutenant
인민군원수
Inmingun-wonsu 		차수
Chasu 		대장
Daejang 		상장
Sangjang 		중장
Chungjang 		소장
Sojang 		대좌
Daechwa 		상좌
Sangjwa 		중좌
Chungjwa 		소좌
Sojwa 		대위
Taewi 		상위
Sangwi 		중위
Chungwi 		소위
Sowi

Marshals

[edit]

Occasionally KPA Air Force officers are promoted above General of the Air Force. In that case, they wear an army-style uniform, since ranks from Vice-Marshal and above are not divided into army, navy and air force.[55]

Supreme commanders Marshals
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]
KPA Air Force personnel in uniform having an photograph session with Kim Jong Un

Generally as a separate service in the KPA, the service wears the same KPA uniforms but with air force blue peaked caps (especially for officers) or kepi-styled caps for men and berets for women, worn with their full dress uniforms. Pilots wear helmets and flight suits when on parade and when in flight duty while air defense personnel wear the same duty dress uniforms as their ground forces counterparts but with air force blue borders on the caps.

Defections

[edit]

Due to the political condition of North Korea, several North Korean pilots from the KPAF defected with their jets. These incidents include:

  • 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 a sum of $100,000 ($1.14 million in 2023 dollars) and the right to reside in the United States. He was awarded American citizenship.
  • 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 Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), eventually becoming a colonel and teaching 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. 400 thousand US dollars). He is now a colonel in the ROKAF and is an academic instructor.[56]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Flightglobal - World Air Forces 2015 (PDF)" (PDF). Flightglobal.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  2. ^ Richard M Bennett. "Missiles and madness". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 2011-09-01. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  3. ^ David Cenciotti. "Israeli F-4s Actually Fought North Korean MiGs During the Yom Kippur War". Business Insider. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  4. ^ A KCNA Report calls Kim Kwang Hyok "Commander of the KPA Air Force"
  5. ^ North Korea Country Study Archived 2005-02-26 at the Wayback Machine, pp. 18-19
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "World Air Forces 2024". Flight Global. flightglobal.com. 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b Waldron, Greg (18 October 2021). "North Korean air force faces resources, obsolescence issues: DIA". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  8. ^ Jo, Haena (10 February 2020). "North Korea's air force". Military Balance Blog. International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  9. ^ "2022 Defense White Papers (South Korea)". 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  10. ^ Edwards, Paul M. (2010). "Korean People's Air Force (KPAF)". Historical Dictionary of the Korean War (2nd ed.). Lanham: Scarecrow Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-8108-7461-9.
  11. ^ a b c d e C. Dildy, Douglas (Fall 2012). "The Korean People's Air Force in the Fatherland Liberation War: Part I". Air Power History. 59: 28–37.
  12. ^ a b c d e C. Dildy, Douglas (Winter 2012). "The Korean People's Air Force in the Fatherland Liberation War: Part II". Air Power History. 59: 4–13.
  13. ^ "The Russians in MiG Alley". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
  14. ^ "[1.0] Mikoyan MiG-15". www.airvectors.net. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
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