Series: Asia @ War
Shrouded in secrecy and distorted by myth, the Korean People's Army remains one of the world's least understood military forces. Little reliable information exists about its origins, its structure or its true capabilities. Having effectively sacrificed its entire economy in pursuit of Juche (self-reliance) and Songun (military-first) policies, the DPRK has developed a uniquely eclectic arsenal of indigenous weaponry and follows a doctrine unlike that of any other modern state. This combination of extreme militarisation and economic fragility has created one of the most volatile environments on the planet, where the prospect of conflict is never far from view.
For many observers, North Korea has become synonymous with the threat of nuclear war, its missile launches and underground tests dominating headlines. Yet this intense focus on strategic weapons has produced a distorted picture. The DPRK's conventional forces-vast in number, continually evolving, and central to its warfighting doctrine-are often overlooked.
Despite the pressures of a dysfunctional economy, the Korean People's Army continues to pursue modernisation programmes that are far more serious, extensive and technically credible than is generally understood. Any assessment of its military power that ignores these developments risks being fundamentally flawed
Complicating matters further is the scarcity of dependable literature. What little information circulates is often speculative or shaped by propaganda, leaving analysts without a solid framework for understanding how new data on the KPA-particularly its air and air-defence components-fits into the broader strategic picture.
Originally published as part of The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun, this material has been fully revised and updated for the Asia@War series. Volume 2 offers a detailed examination of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force, providing essential insight into one of the most enigmatic and consequential military organisations in the world today.
Text: Stijn Mitzer & Joost Oliemans 2025
Colour profiles: Tom Cooper, Anderson Subtil
Maps drawn by George Anderson Helion & Company 2025
Designed and typeset by Mach 3 Solutions
Cover design Paul Hewitt, Battlefield Design
ISBN: 978-1-806720-30-9
76 Pages
8.25 x 11.7 in
10 b/w photos
134 colour photos
16 colour profiles
4 colour maps
Paperback