North Korea Unveils Clone of U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk Spy Drone

North Korea has publicly revealed a new unmanned aerial system that closely resembles the U.S.-made RQ-4B Global Hawk, signaling Pyongyang’s continued push to develop advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Kim Jong Un Personally Inspects New Drone

According to North Korean state media, leader Kim Jong Un personally reviewed the new long-range reconnaissance drone along with newly developed suicide attack drones equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. While the official designation of the drone has not been disclosed, defense analysts have informally dubbed it a "Global Hawk-type" system due to its striking resemblance to the American high-altitude surveillance drone.

The drone was showcased during the 2023 Weapons and Equipment Exhibition in Pyongyang, where former Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu was also in attendance. This has raised speculation about deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia, especially in the field of drone technology.

A Close Look at North Korea’s Spy Drone

The newly revealed drone exhibits key design elements similar to the RQ-4B Global Hawk, including:

• V-tail configuration for stability and maneuverability.

• Dorsal-mounted air intake for optimized airflow and efficiency.

• High-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) capability, indicating extended surveillance operations.

These structural similarities suggest that North Korea aims to develop a persistent intelligence-gathering platform capable of monitoring military activities in South Korea, Japan, and even U.S. forces in the region.

Specifications & Capabilities (Expected)

While the exact specifications of North Korea’s drone remain classified, analysts estimate that it may attempt to replicate the RQ-4B Global Hawk’s capabilities, which include:

• Maximum altitude: 60,000 feet

• Endurance: 30+ hours

• Range: Over 12,000 km

• Speed: Around 650 km/h

• Payload: Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment

It remains unclear whether North Korea’s version can match the performance of its American counterpart. However, its development underscores Pyongyang’s determination to reverse-engineer foreign military technology and strengthen its unmanned aerial surveillance program.

Rising Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

The unveiling of this advanced drone comes at a time of heightened military activity in the region. The United States and South Korea have conducted multiple joint military exercises in response to North Korea’s ongoing weapons tests. The introduction of a long-range reconnaissance drone could significantly enhance Pyongyang’s ability to gather intelligence and monitor allied forces.

North Korea’s growing drone capabilities also pose a potential challenge to regional security, as its advancements in AI-driven attack drones could increase the threat of asymmetric warfare in the region.

While details about the drone’s true capabilities remain limited, its public display sends a strong message—North Korea is determined to advance its military technology, despite international sanctions and diplomatic isolation.