Army of North Korea: strength and armament

Any mention of North Korea in the majority causes resentment because of the specific lifestyle of its inhabitants. This is due to the propaganda of the regime in which they exist. Few people know about real life in this country, so it seems something terrible and unacceptable. Despite the peculiarities of the regime, the state is recognized in the world community and has both its territory and the army, which is called upon to protect it.

Combat efficiency

The state has a weak economy, it is isolated from the whole world. However, the army of North Korea is still considered one of the most powerful in the world. It is called the Korean People's Army. The main slogans of the DPRK ideology are "Juche", which means "reliance on one's own strength", as well as "Songun", that is, "everything for the army".

The army of North Korea (the number for various sources, from 1.1 to 1.6 million people) has a small budget. For example, in 2013 it was only $ 5 billion. In comparison with the leading states, this indicator is negligible. However, it is one of the top five.

The army of North Korea, whose strength can be supplemented at any time by 8 million reservists, also has 10 nuclear warheads. The first tests to launch them were conducted in 2006.

Information on the Armed Forces

The army of North Korea is no less closed than the state itself. All information about its armament is approximate. This is especially true for the number of vehicles.

It is known that its military-technical complex is capable of producing various classes of military equipment:

• Tanks;
• Armored personnel carriers;
• Missiles;
• Artillery pieces;
• Warships;
• submarines;
• Boats;
• Rocket launcher systems.

The only thing that is not created in the DPRK is planes and helicopters. Although the availability of foreign components, their assembly is possible.

North Korean partners

During the Cold War, the DPRK received substantial military assistance from its two major allies, the USSR and the PRC. The current situation has changed dramatically. Russia stopped assistance because of poor solvency of the republic. China does not provide assistance because of discontent with its policies. However, officially, Beijing still remains the patron and ally of Pyongyang.

The only partner today is Iran. The DPRK exchanges military technologies with it. Also, the state continues work on the nuclear missile program.

Opponents of the DPRK

The army of North Korea is called upon to fight with two main enemies - South Korea and the United States. Once upon a time, South Korea followed the path of capitalist and allied relations with the United States. As a result, it has become a fairly successful state.

In North Korea, this was seen as a betrayal. All of its ideology is supported by stubborn conservatives who are not ready for change. Even the death of the chief leader did not change the situation. His son and successor Kim Jong-un continues to strengthen ideological principles. That top, which is in the DPRK, simply will not allow him to make changes.

Despite a lot of shortcomings, the army of North Korea against the US will be able to compete. And the presence of nuclear weapons aggravates the picture even more. Especially for neighboring states, which apart from South Korea are China and Russia.

Military service

All men in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are required to undergo military service. It is the army of North Korea, whose service life is 5-12 years, is very different from the armed fortifications of the whole world. However, until 2003, this period was 13 years.

The conscript age starts at age 17. It is almost impossible to bypass the service in the armed forces. It is due to the strength of the KPA that it is referred to the strongest armies in the world.

Levels of Defense

The Army of North Korea has land forces of about one million people. They make up a few echelons of defense.

The first of them is located on the border with South Korea. It includes infantry and artillery formations. In the event of a possible war, they must break through the South Korean border fortifications or not allow enemy troops to go deep into the state.

The second echelon is located behind the first. It consists of ground forces, tank and mechanized formations. His actions also depend on who will be the first to start a war. If the DPRK, the second echelon will advance deep into the South Korean defense, including the seizure of Seoul. If the DPRK is attacked, the second echelon will have to eliminate the enemy's breakthroughs.

The task of the third echelon is in the defense of Pyongyang. It is also an educational and backup base for the first two echelons.

The fourth echelon is located on the border with China and Russia. It refers to the training and backup connections. It is usually called the "echelon of last hope".

Women in the Army of North Korea

In the country, women have long been able to serve as volunteers. Their service life up to 2003 was 10 years, and after - 7 years. However, in many sources there is information that since 2015 all women will be required to undergo urgent military service. The recruitment will be carried out immediately upon receipt of the school certificate.

Women will serve in the army until the age of 23. Many experts consider such measures of the authorities forced due to the 1994-1998 famine, which resulted in low birth rate, which resulted in a shortage of the male population of draft age.

North Korea in this regard is not a new discoverer. For example, in Israel, Peru, Malaysia and other countries, women have to serve for a long time.

Main weaknesses of the KPA

The army of North Korea, whose review is conducted most often without reliable information, can inspire fear to many countries. However, it has many shortcomings.

KPA weaknesses:

• Limited fuel resources will allow for a full-scale military operation not more than a month;
• The impossibility of Pyongyang's long-term defense because of insufficient food;
• There are no means of modern technical reconnaissance, which reduces the effectiveness of artillery fire;
• Defense from the coast is carried out with the help of obsolete missiles, and the fleet as a whole is not distinguished by autonomy and secrecy;
• There are no modern air forces, air defense systems, and the available means will allow opposing the enemy forces only a few days.

At the same time, all KPA remains one of the strongest armies in the world. Basically, due to the fact that more than one million people are ready to stand up for her protection, and the other several million can be summoned from the reserve in a short time.

Check the effectiveness of the army of North Korea is possible only in a state of real war. However, this is feared throughout the world. No state, including the US, has yet to unleash a conflict with Pyongyang.