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According to a top US military official, Russia is set to send North Korea new fighter jets in exchange for thousands of North Korean troops deployed to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Let’s bring you up to speed: Back in late September, South Korean intelligence agencies reported that North Korea had begun deploying troops to Russia, marking a significant escalation in Pyongyang’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war. Initially, approximately 12,000 North Korean officers, including high-ranking generals, were sent, with reports suggesting the total number of troops could eventually exceed 100,000. These soldiers, many disguised as Russian troops with fake IDs and local uniforms, are being tasked with front-line duties such as artillery operations, trench clearing, drone deployment, and supporting Russian counteroffensives in regions like Kursk.

Getting into it: According to Admiral Samuel Paparo, Russia plans to deliver MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to North Korea, replacing many of the outdated Soviet and Chinese aircraft currently in Pyongyang’s fleet. These early fourth-generation jets, though not the latest technology, are still considered formidable and represent a significant upgrade over North Korea’s aging inventory. The transfer is expected to enhance North Korea’s air capabilities, providing improved speed, maneuverability, and combat readiness compared to its existing, obsolete models.

These upgrades will be a notable enhancement to North Korea’s current fighter jet fleet, which is comprised primarily of models like the MiG-21, MiG-23, and Chinese-made J-5 and J-6, many of which date back to the 1960s and 1970s. These aircraft are considered obsolete by modern standards, lacking the advanced avionics, weaponry, and maneuverability of newer generations.

This all comes as South Korea grows increasingly concerned over the strengthening military partnership between North Korea and Russia, particularly the potential transfer of advanced fighter jets and other military technologies to Pyongyang. South Korean officials are concerned that these exchanges may also involve critical technologies for ballistic missiles and nuclear weaponry, which would further violate United Nations sanctions and destabilize the Korean Peninsula.