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From ACIG.org Far-East Database
The DPRKAF is a relatively huge air force, boasting 110.000 active and 40.000 reserve personnel, deployed on 25 operational airfields, 26 dispersal airfields and 18 highway strips (some up to 40km long), equipped with largely obsolete aircraft, but run and flown by highly aggressive personnel – as illustrated by its behavior during the current stand-off on the Korean Peninsula.
The DPRKAF operates 29 MiG-29s, 35 MiG-23MLs, 120 MiG-21F-13/PFMs and MiG-21bis, 40 J-6s, 100 MiG-15s, and 100 J-5s in intercept units. Operational Conversional units are also equipped with 5 MiG-29UBs, 10 MiG-23UBs, 20 MiG-21Us, 30 MiG-15UTI (a large part of which is also used by the Air Force Academy), and 25 FT-5s. Offensive units are equipped with 36 Su-25K/UBKs, 20 Su-7BMKs, an unknown number of A-5s, and 85 H-5 bombers.
Aside from MiG-15UTI, the DPRKAF also has 12 L-39Cs and over 100 Yak-18/CJ-6 for training. The transport component flies 4 Il-62Ms, 4 Tu-154Bs, 3 Tu-76MDs, 10 An-23s, and 2 Il-18Ds, as well as over 300 An-2/Y-5s, deployed in two large air divisions, which cooperate tightly with units of special forces. There are also combat and transport helicopter units in unknown quantity, flying a total of 50 Mi-25s, 10 Mi-14PLs, 48 Mi-4/Z-5s, 20 Mi-8s, some Mi-17s, possibly few Mi-26s, 86 MD-500C/D/Es, and up to 140 Mi-2s. On the ground, the DPRKAF also controls a tightly connected C4 system, deployed in four air defense sectors – each having a single Air Combat Division – with a total of over 60 early warning and ground control intercept radar sites, 60 regular and 70 alternate SAM-sites, 270 SA-2 launchers, 32 SA-3 launchers, and 36 SA-5 launchers, as well as a large number of ZPU-23s and 57mm radar-controlled AAA.
The HQ of the DPRKAF is in P’yongyang, and it controls several directly reporting units, including an EW Sqn (equipped with H-5Rs, few An-2s, and An-24s), a test- and evaluation squadron (equipped with one or two examples from each type of combat aircraft in service), a naval-support and ASW unit (equipped with Mi-14PLs and few other helicopters). North Korean pilots are trained on the Kim Ch’aek Air Force Academy, in Chongjin, and the officers on the K’yongsong Flight Officers School, in P’yongyang.
On the tactical level the DPRKAF is organized into divisions, each of which includes flying units organized in regiments of three squadrons (with at least one squadron for operational conversion), regiments of air-defense units, a radar regiment, communications regiment, as well as a battalion each of engineers, guards, and NBC-trained troops. Also, each air base has its own support units. The main combat units of the DPRKAF are: 1st Air Combat Division, HQ at Kaechon AB, Pyongan-namdo Province, including: - 24th AR, based at Uiju AB, with three squadrons of H-5 bombers, - 35th AR, based at Kaechon AB, with three squadrons of MiG-19/J-6s, - 57th AR, based at Onchon AB, with three squadrons of MiG-19/J-6s, - 55th AR, based at Sunchon AB, with one squadron of MiG-29s, and two of Su-25s, - 60th AR, based at Pukchang AB, with three squadrons of MiG-23MLs, - ? AR, based at Panghyon AB, with three squadrons of MiG-17F/J-5s, - 5 SAM Brigades, deployed between Kaechon, Sohung, Unchong, and P’yongyang, equipped with SA-2s and SA-5s.
2nd Air Combat Division, HQ at Toksan/Hamhung, Hamgyong-namdo Province, including: - ? AR, based at Wonsan AB, with three squadrons of MiG-19/J-6s, - ? AR, based at Toksan AB, with three squadrons of MiG-21PF/J-7s, - ? AR, based at Hwangsuwon-ni, with three squadrons of MIG-19/J-6s, - 3 SAM-Brigades, deployed mainly around Wonsan, equipped with SA-2s.
3rd Air Combat Division, HQ at Hwangju AB, Hwanghae-Bukdo Province, including: - 4th Air Regiment (AR), based at Kwail/Pungchon AB, with three squadrons of MiG-17/J-5s, - 56th AR, based at Hwangju AB, with three squadrons of MiG-21PF/J-7s, - ? AR (either 11th or 303rd), based at Koksan AB, with three squadrons of MiG-21PF/J-7s, - ? Bomber Regiment (BR), based at Taetan AB, with three squadrons of H-5 bombers, - 6 SAM Brigades, deployed between Inchon, P’yongyang, Kaesong and Hwanghae, with SA-2s and SA-5s.
5th Transport Division, HQ at Taechon AB, Pyongan-bukdo Province, including: - ? Air Transport Regiment (ATR), at Mirim International Airport, P’yongyang, with Il-14/18/62/76s, some An-24s, and Tu-134/154s, - ? ATR, based at Taechon, with a squadron of An-2/Y-5s, - 2 ATRs, bases unknown, equipped with An-2/Y-5s, - 2 ATRs, based at Packh’on AB, one equipped with Mi-4/Z-5s and Mi-8/17s, the other with Mi-2s, - ? ATR, based at Pukchang AB, equipped with MD-500s. 6th Transport Division, HQ at Sondok AB, Hamgyong-namdo Province, including: - ? ATR, based at Sondok, equipped with AN-2/Y-5s, - 2 ATRs, bases unknown, equipped with An-2/Y-5s, - 2 ATRs, based at Kanch’on, one equipped with Mi-4/Z-5s and Mi-8/17s and the other with Mi-2s, - ? ATR, base unknown, equipped with MD-500D/Es. 8th Air Division, HQ at Orang AB, Hamgyong-bukdo Province - ? Training Regiment (TR), based at Orang AB, with a squadron of MiG-15UTI/J-2/MiG-15s, - 2 unknown TRs, based at Samiyon AB, with a squadron of MIG-15UTI/J-2/MiG-15s - ? TR, based at Hyesan AB, with a squadron of An-2 and Y-5 transports - ? TR, based at Kilchu AB, with a squadron of Mi-2 helicopters - ? TR, operating with the Kimcha’ek Air Force Academy, at Chongjin, with a squadron of Yak-18/CJ-6 aircraft - 1 Training SAM-Brigade, equipped with SA-2s The DRPKAF also runs several “aircraft production centers”, including one each at P’yonghyon, Kusong, Tokhyon, and Chongjin, were all possible maintenance works can be undertaken and production of spare parts is running. These facilities have enabled it to keep a large number of its obsolete aircraft in service for longer than anybody could expect.
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