The autumn of survival for the North Korean Air Force seems to be coming. For years, the North Korean Air Force has been criticized, and the main model MiG-5 has long been unable to take off, and the performance difference between the two generations of South Korean fighters is very different. In the event of a crisis, it is doubtful whether the North Korean Air Force will be able to hold the skies over the Korean Peninsula. Faced with such a disadvantage, the North Korean Air Force urgently needs a major rearmament. However, superb technology is not a reality for North Korea, and how to exchange a batch of air defense weapons under the friendship between China and North Korea has become a difficult choice for General Kim Il Sung.
1. The DPRK air force is weak alone, and the ROK has had air supremacy for a long time
For years, North Korea's air force has been no match for South Korea. South Korea not only has two generations of advanced fighters such as the F-35 and F-15, but also has a strong military backing from the United States. In contrast, the equipment of the North Korean Air Force is still stuck in the 70s of the last century, and the main model MiG-5 can hardly take off. This has prevented the DPRK Air Force from gaining air supremacy, and its strength is unequal. Now the situation is even more serious, and if measures are not taken as soon as possible, once a crisis breaks out, the DPRK air force may not escape the fate of destruction. General Kim Il Sung is also soberly aware that the big change of clothing cannot be delayed, which is the key to the survival of the DPRK Air Force.
Two. Sino-DPRK friendship, high-end weapons are still extravagant
China and North Korea have a traditional friendship, and China is willing to give North Korea some military support if necessary. However, China's support is not unconditional either. China needs to ensure that these equipment do not exert too much influence on the balance of power in the region, otherwise it could backfire and affect China's strategic interests on the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, China prefers to provide some low-end defensive weapons, and is unlikely to directly transfer high-tech and advanced equipment to North Korea. It also means that North Korea will have to wait for weapons like the J-10 or the Attack Man to acquire. Superb technology has always belonged to the country's heavy weapon, and it is unlikely to be easily outflowed.
Three. Low-end weapons to defend the weapon that North Korea needs now
Low-end defensive weapons seem to be more in line with North Korea's current actual needs than advanced technology. Dongfeng missiles, drones and other defense systems can meet North Korea's air defense needs without truly changing the regional balance of power, which is also more in line with China's interests. Given the current strategic interests of China and North Korea, low-end defensive weapons are a viable option. This would avoid the transfer of sophisticated technology, but it would also enhance North Korea's defense capabilities. In the future, China may provide more such defensive weapons to support North Korea under certain conditions and help the North Korean Air Force gradually modernize.
To sum up, although the road to the large-scale rearmament of the DPRK Air Force will still be difficult, it will also gradually drift away under the shadow of the friendship between China and the DPRK. Although the shotgun is vigorous, it will only be defensive in the end, and it is difficult to surpass the South Korean Air Force in one fell swoop. However, with China's support, the North Korean Air Force will not be doomed in a short period of time.
All in all, the North Korean Air Force is in desperate need of modernization, but high technology is not easy to obtain. According to the strategic interests of China and North Korea, low-end defensive weapons are a realistic choice. China may provide these defensive equipment to help the North Korean Air Force improve its defense capabilities, if conditions permit. However, advanced technologies such as the J-10C, Air Police 200 and Attack 11 will have to wait for North Korea to acquire, and these equipment are more likely to be retained by China for its own use.
Although the road to the large-scale rearmament of the DPRK Air Force has been bumpy, the friendship between China and the DPRK will be the key to the success of the rearmament. Only with the support of China can the DPRK Air Force be expected to gradually modernize and strengthen its air defense capabilities to ensure that it will not be destroyed in a short period of time. However, it is difficult to surpass the South Korean Air Force in one fell swoop. China's aid is mostly based on its own interests, and there are still questions about the transfer of superb.
Therefore, the result of the rearmament of the North Korean Air Force may be that a large number of low-end defensive weapons are introduced to improve defense capabilities, but the main model is still mainly MiG-5, and the performance difference is difficult to make up. China may exchange conditions for some port use rights, etc., in exchange for more support. In this way, although the North Korean air force has been strengthened, South Korea's absolute superiority is still difficult to shake. If it is to overwhelm South Korea in one fell swoop, I am afraid it will take longer.