[Map] Here’s the North Korean Air Force order of battle

The following interesting map shows all the airbases in North Korea with a quite detailed list of the Regiments and Squadrons of the Korean People’s Army Air Force (North Korean Air Force).

The majority of the airbases seems to surround Pyongyang, most probably with the purpose to defend the capital town: a “defensive ring” that includes Sunchon (were Mig-29 Fulcrum jets are based), Wonsan and Onchan.

Map credit: courtesy of Galcom

Some airbases are located next to the border with China (Samjiyon to the northeast and Uiju to the east); Koksan, Hwangju and Onchon, near South Korea, north of the DMZ, host three fighter regiments are, whereas Pungchon, on the Korea Bay, is the home of the Mig-17 OCU (Operational Conversion Unit).

You don’t need to be an expert, but a quick look at the type of aircraft flown by each unit of the Korean People’s Army Air Force shows that Kim Jong Un’s Air Force operates obsolete, Cold War-aged combat planes that would have very few chances to threaten U.S. stealth bombers escorted by F-22 Raptors (or simply South Korean ones) that could be called into action following the rain of cruise missiles that would open an eventual war.

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About David Cenciotti

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David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.