A Russian military analyst has proposed that Russia lease attack aircraft from North Korea for use in the conflict in Ukraine, with the aim of increasing the precision of attacks and reducing exposure to enemy air defense systems, as reported in the blog .
The proposal was raised by Vladimir Khrustalev, an expert on North Korean weapons and defense, after the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the North Korean Air Force, where Su-25 aircraft equipped with weapons of greater range and precision than the usual unguided rockets.
According to Khrustalev, these configurations would allow attacking targets along the front line and deeper into enemy territory, reducing risks for pilots and increasing the efficiency of each mission.
And, as he stated, leasing planes and having temporary foreign pilots is already an established practice in the military industry, with compensation and insurance mechanisms that limit risks.
Greater experience and economic benefits
In this case, North Korea would obtain economic benefits, combat experience and aircraft maintenance, while Russia could supplement its fleet with additional aircraft and use precision-guided munitions instead of traditional rockets.
The analyst also mentioned the use of cruise missiles compatible with the Su-25 and laser-guided weaponry, highlighting that drones could function as target designators, following practices used by NATO since the 1980s. Russian guidance kits could even be adapted to the North Korean Su-25, expanding the possibilities of using gliding bombs.
Khrustalev states that the need for this proposal arises from the limitations of the modernization of which does not allow guided weapons to be used effectively or to operate safely in areas with dense air defenses. According to the expert, North Korean planes could offer a temporary solution to overcome these restrictions on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Characteristics of the North Korean Su-25
The North Korean Su-25 is a ground attack aircraft designed for close support missions. Its structure comes from the classic Soviet design, but has been adapted by North Korea to operate with greater flexibility and precision in combat. It is intended for low-altitude flight, where it can evade dense air defenses and attack enemy targets directly.. The cockpit houses a single pilot, who controls both the plane and its extensive arsenal of weapons.
In terms of armament, the North Korean Su-25 combines a 30 mm internal cannon with unguided rockets and conventional bombs. Added to this are recent improvements that allow the use of laser-guided bombs and short and medium range missiles. According to some experts, it could also be integrated with UAVs that designate targets, increasing the precision of each attack.
The plane has a range of between 750 and 1,000 kilometers without refueling and can operate at altitudes of up to 10,000 meters. And its maximum speed exceeds 970 km/h, allowing it to quickly enter and exit the combat zone.
