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Chosŏn-inmin'gun hangkong mit banhangkong'gun
Starting 1972 the Mi-8 was a modest supplement to the many operational Mi-2s, initially operating in a dark green color scheme.
Lars Hentschel (c)
In the eighties Korea obtained a large batch MD500E's using a German middleman. In 2025 one MD500E was used to demonstrate new drone tactics.
DPRKAF
| Changjin-up (--) | |||
RWY 15/33 POS 40°21'52"N 127°15'51"E ELEV 3547 ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 2nd Air Combat Division |
25th Air Regiment | H-5 (1. battalion) |
 |
| Chongjin AB (--) | |||
RWY 13/31 POS 41°40'27"N 129°40'36"E ELEV 23ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 8th Aviation Training Division |
Kimcha'ek Air Force Academy | BT-5, BT-6 (3 Battalions) | |
The BT-5 is used in the initial training and the bomber role. The aircraft show were reported to fly for Unit 2620.
DPRKAF
In the country many highways are prepared for emergency fighter operations as this MiG-21PFM reported to be from Unit 630 demonstrates.
DPRKAF
| Hwangsuwon-ni AB (--) | |||
RWY 13/31 POS 40°40'55"N 128°09'00"E ELEV 4037ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 2nd Air Combat Division |
72nd Air Regiment | F-7/MiG-21 (3 Battalions) | |
| Iwon AB (--) | |||
RWY 10/28 POS 40°21'36"N 128°43'07"E ELEV 52 ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 8th Aviation Training Division |
74th Air Regiment | F-5, FT-5 (3 Battalions) | |
| Koksan AB (--) | |||
RWY 07/25 POS 38°41'23"N 126°36'16"E ELEV 807ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 3rd Air Combat Division |
86th Air Regiment | F-6 (3 Battalions) | |
| Kuktong AB (--) | |||
RWY 09/27 (grass) POS 41°14'59"N 129°33'48"E ELEV 128 ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 5th Transport Division |
Air Regiment | Y-5/An-2 (3 Battalions) | |
| Kuum Ni AB (--) | |||
RWY 05/23 POS 38°52'02"N 127°54'22"E ELEV 63 ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 2nd Air Combat Division |
71st Air Regiment | MiG-21PFM/UM (3 Battalions) | |
Several Regiments still operate the F-5/MiG-17, like at Pungchon AB
DPRKAF
In addition to 140 Polish build An-2s the Air Force also operates Chinese build Y-5s
Scramble
| Kwaksan AB (--) | |||
RWY 03/21 POS 39°43'55"N 125°06'39"E ELEV 62ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 5th Transport Division |
Air Regiment | Y-5/An-2 (3 Battalions) | |
| Manpo (--) | |||
RWY 02/20 POS 41°08'20"N 126°21'24"E ELEV 819 ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 5th Transport Division |
Air Regiment | Y-5/An-2 (3 Battalions) | |
Even the MiG-15s remain active.
KJU
The Mi-8T helicopter is used for transport, parajump and CSAR operations.
(Wonsan, September 2016, Frank Noort)
| Orang AB (--) | |||
RWY 04/22 POS 41°25'44"N 129°38'53"E ELEV 9ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 2nd Air Combat Division |
41st Air Regiment | F-5 (3 Battalions) | |
In 2023 North Korea officially entered the UAV era, when a copy of the American attack drone MQ-9 Reapor was shown under the name Saetbyol-9 (새별-9), for Morning Star Type 9.
Korean Central News Agency
In 2025 both the high altitude reconnaissance drone Saetbyol-4B and Saetbyol-9 were shown during a flypast for Kim Yun Un (to be seen in the background) at upgraded Sunchon AB. The Saetbyol-4B (새별-4B) is a look-alike of the American RQ-4B Global Hawk.
Korean Central News Agency
Having produced the Mi-2 themselves (as Hyoksin-2), North Korea is able to keep quite a number of Mi-2 flying as can be seen at Pukchang. As with other helicopter models by 2024 the Mi-2s were painted in new sand camouflage c/s.
KCNA
About four Mi-26 are in service within the 78th Air Regiment.
KCNA
At Pukchang MiG-21PFMs are based alongside MiG-23ML.
DPRKAF
At Pyongyang a few Mil-8MTV-1s are operational in the VIP role.
Scramble
| Pyongyang/City Heliport (--) | |||
RWY 13/31H POS 39°02'31"N 125°48'36"E ELEV 53 ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| DPRK AF HQ |
VIP Flight | Mi-8MTV-1 (1. battalion) | |
For over 30 years VIP transport within North Korea is provided by a single Il-62M.
DPRKAF
In 2016 the P750 XStol was a surprise new arrival in the Korean VIP fleet.
Scramble
| Sinuiju (--) | |||
RWY HEL POS 40°05'26"N 124°24'32"E ELEV 30 ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 6th Helicopter Division |
Air Regiment | Mi-2 (1. battalion) | |
| Sonchon (--) | |||
RWY 13/31 POS 39°55'09"N 124°50'17"E ELEV 207 ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 6th Helicopter Division |
22nd Air Regiment | Z-5 (3 Battalions) | |
| Sondok AB (--) | |||
RWY 01/19 POS 39°44'52"N 127°28'32"E ELEV 12ft | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| 5th Transport Division |
Air Regiment | Y-5/An-2 (3 Battalions) | |
Starting 1987 32 Su-25Ks and 4 Su-25UBS were delivered to replace the Il-10. While they are based on Sunchon AB (together with the MiG-29s), in 2025 some went to Wonsan-Kalma airport to join the 80th air force birthday celebrations.
KCNA
At Sunchon Su-25s and MiG-29s are based (except during the renovation of the base). In 2013 the green camouflage was replaced by grey c/s.
KCNA
Interesting to note that the Air Force uses MiG-29B and MiG-29S versions. Of both versions an aircraft with serial 555 exists.
Scramble
Although ground attack can be done by any aircraft of the Air Force, the Su-25K is specially designed for that role. Although all looking very freshly painted in 2016 a few years later also the fighters had received yet another paint scheme.
Scramble
Around 2000 the air force received 30 MiG-21bis from Kazakhstan.
Frank Noort
| Unknown (--) | |||
| Division | Regiment | Aircraft Type(s) | Badge |
| DPRK AF HQ |
Electronic Warfare Regiment | H-5R An-2/Y-5 An-24 MiG-17 MiG-19 MiG-21 |
|
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