The Drive's military news site The War Zone reported that US officials suspect that Russia will transfer MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to North Korea as part of a military exchange deal.
According to Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Moscow and Pyongyang have reached an agreement on the provision of fighter jets in exchange for North Korea sending troops to participate in Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.
Multiple sources said that North Korea sent troops without making any specific demands for compensation. This has raised concerns among US officials that the military assistance will increase North Korea’s military power and deepen the increasingly close ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, which could have negative implications for regional security, especially for US allies in East Asia.
In that context, Russia's transfer of MiG-29 and Su-27 to North Korea has attracted attention.
The MiG-29 is a fourth-generation multirole fighter aircraft, characterized by its versatile offensive and defensive capabilities. This aircraft has been widely used for many years but can still give the North Korean air force a significant strength.
Meanwhile, the Su-27 is one of the most maneuverable fighters, with long range and high-altitude combat capabilities. Although these aircraft are no longer modern compared to new aircraft such as the Su-35 or Su-57, they will still be a significant upgrade over the MiG-21 or F-5 that North Korea currently uses.
The provision of MiG-29s and Su-27s is not only a technical upgrade for the North Korean air force, but also has great political significance, marking the tightening of military relations between Russia and North Korea in the context of tense international relations.
Experts say this could help North Korea strengthen its defense capabilities while expanding Russia's military influence in East Asia.
While not a plane that could radically change the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula, Russia’s transfer of fighter jets to North Korea has raised concerns among countries in the region, especially South Korea and Japan, who fear that Russian military support will increase tensions and threaten regional security.
