While the tensions in the Korean Peninsula are rising with North Korea testing nuclear missiles and the US and South Korea holding joint military exercise, it is important to know about the military capabilities of North Korea. Here we have six reasons why the country's military is so strong.
CYBERFORCE
Reports say Bureau 121 is a sophisticated cyber-warfare cell, staffed by as many as 6,000 hackers. Much of the attacks are targeted at government targets in the South.
AIRFORCE
The North Korean air force is estimated to have 563 combat capable aircraft, largely Chinese built J-5s, J-6s and J-7s dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. It also has some more up to date MiG 21s, MiG-23s and a small number of MiG-29s.
NAVY
The North Korean navy has 72 tactical submarines, three frigates and nearly 400 patrol vessels.
ARMY
The North Korean Army is 1,020,000 strong, with more than 3,500 main battle tanks made up of T-34, T-54, T-55 and T-62 types dating back decades. It is estimated to have more than 21,000 different artillery pieces.
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
North Korea’s chemical weapon stockpiles such as sulphur mustard, chlorine, phosgene, sarin and VX are estimated at 2,500-5,000 tonnes. South Korea says its neighbour can produce anthrax, smallpox and haemorrhagic fevers among other pathogens.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND MISSILES
North Korea is estimated to have enough plutonium for at least five or six bombs and is believed to have more than 1,000 missiles of varying ranges. The country is also believed to be developing a longer-range intercontinental ballistic missile called the KN-08, which the Pentagon believed “would likely be capable of reaching much of the continental United States.”
