Kim Jong-un unveils first public firing of 600mm 'Sniper' rocket launcher at drone exhibition

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended an unmanned aerial technology exhibition, where he watched air-strike demonstrations by suicide drones and multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicles. The combat firing of a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher was also publicly demonstrated before a crowd for the first time.

KCNA reported Friday that the "Unmanned Aerial Technology Development-2026" exhibition was held Thursday and that Kim attended. On display were various types of strategic-class and operational-tactical multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicles, suicide attack drones, and combat systems showcasing the latest achievements in unmanned aerial technology.

A "show of force" followed the exhibition. Demonstrations included tactical suicide drone strikes, tactical cruise missile launches, multipurpose drone air attacks, and a firing by a 600mm multiple rocket launcher battalion. KCNA claimed that "air-to-ground missiles and cruise missiles fired from tactical suicide drones and multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicles struck island targets with 100 percent accuracy." The agency also said the combat firing of the ultra-precision 600mm large-caliber rocket launcher — nicknamed the "Sniper" — was "directly disclosed to the public for the first time," adding that "the combat reliability and effectiveness of all major weapons systems were satisfactorily verified."

Kim said that "achieving absolute superiority in the drone sector is an indispensable choice in keeping with the changing nature of modern warfare." KCNA said Kim then announced the ruling party's national defense development strategy and "significant state-level measures" aimed at rapidly expanding and strengthening unmanned aerial capabilities, though the specific details of those measures were not disclosed.

Kim said "strength is peace, and peace can only be guaranteed by strength," adding that "even wealthy nations cannot buy peace with money." Kim also stressed that "just as we have secured the functions of a nuclear-armed state and are achieving a leap forward in strengthening conventional forces, the country's scientific community must mobilize fully to produce miraculous results in the fields of unmanned aerial technology and defense AI." The remarks suggest Pyongyang intends to add unmanned systems and AI capabilities as a new pillar alongside its parallel pursuit of nuclear advancement and conventional military modernization.

KCNA did not disclose the location of the exhibition or test firings. Based on the exhibition structures visible, analysts believe the venue was Wonsan Kalma Airport, where North Korea held the 80th anniversary of its air force last year.

Kim's wife Ri Sol-ju and daughter Ju-ae accompanied Kim at the event. Also in attendance were Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the party's Central Military Commission; Ri Pyong-chol, senior adviser on munitions policy; Kim Song-gi, minister of national defense; party secretaries Jo Yong-won and Jo Chun-ryong; Kim Jong-sik, first deputy director of the party's Central Committee; and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui.

Earlier, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area into the East Sea around 12:30 p.m. Thursday. The missiles traveled approximately 250 kilometers, and South Korean and US authorities are conducting a detailed analysis of their specifications. Military officials believe the missiles were KN-25 600mm super-large rocket launchers — a weapon North Korea claims can carry the "Hwasan-31" tactical nuclear warhead and is designed to strike targets in South Korea.