North Korea leads in weapons supply to Russia

North Korea is increasing the volume of arms delivery to Russia despite the Kremlin’s official denial of cooperation. Pyongyang will become one of the most important foreign suppliers for Moscow, if it maintains the recent pace, the UK Ministry of Defence reported.

“If North Korea sustains the recent scale and pace of military-related shipments (more than 1,000 containers over the last several weeks), it will be on course to become one of Russia’s most significant foreign arms suppliers, alongside Iran and Belarus,” the intelligence said.

At the same time, Russia is preparing to thank North Korea for supplying weapons. It is likely to involve financial compensation, other economic support, the provision of military technology and cooperation in other high-tech fields such as space, the UK analysts said.

“It is currently unclear what Russia has agreed to provide North Korea in return. It is unlikely the full package has been finalised; it was highly likely one of the primary discussion topics during recent senior level Russian visits to North Korea,” the intelligence added.

South Korea, Japan and the United States have confirmed arms deliveries from North Korea and strongly condemn Pyongyang’s cooperation with Moscow. “Such weapons deliveries, several of which we now confirm have been completed, will significantly increase the human toll of Russia’s war of aggression,” the statement issued by the foreign ministers of the three countries said.

North Korea is seeking military aid from Russia to develop its own military capabilities in exchange for Moscow’s support in the arms industry, the statement said.