North Korea has conducted a joint live-fire drill combining missiles, artillery and drones. The country claims the exercise demonstrated the “enormous destructive power” of its weapons systems. Arab News reported the information Monday, citing North Korean state media.
Various types of weapons were used simultaneously during the exercise, including ballistic and tactical cruise missiles, various rocket launchers, artillery and attack drones. Five units of North Korea’s military took part.
North Korea claims the exercise’s main goal was to test the capability of its integrated weapons control system and to boost its ability to disable enemy defences through massed simultaneous fire. The drill also emphasised rapid response and strengthening combat readiness.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said several short-range ballistic missiles were fired from North Korea’s east coast during the exercise, travelling around 250 kilometres out to sea. According to South Korea’s military, this marks North Korea’s 13th ballistic missile test this year.
North Korea’s exercise came at a time when the United States, South Korea and Japan recently concluded a trilateral military drill. Pyongyang has long viewed such joint military exercises as a provocative act against it.
Meanwhile, concerns are also growing over North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, recently said the country has built a new uranium enrichment facility at the Yongbyon nuclear complex and is preparing to increase production capacity there.
Analysts say the exercise of operating missiles, artillery and drones under a single integrated attack system may be intended both to showcase North Korea’s conventional and strategic military capabilities and to keep pressure on US and South Korean defence systems.