North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has officially issued instructions to significantly increase missile and ammunition production in 2026. According to a statement by North Korea’s state media outlet KCNA, the decision was taken to meet growing military demands.
Production Capacity and New Facilities
Inspecting ammunition factories together with senior officials in Pyongyang, Kim Jong-un tasked production facilities with “meeting the expected requirements for the operational needs of the state’s missile and artillery forces.” Emphasizing that increasing overall production capacity is essential to meet military demands, Kim ordered the construction of new ammunition factories. The leader highlighted the strategic importance of the missile and munitions production sector in strengthening military deterrence.
Regional Impacts and Export Targets
Analysts state that behind North Korea’s increased missile launch activities in recent years lies the aim of improving precision strike capabilities and posing a military challenge to the United States and South Korea. It is also assessed that testing the produced weapons before exporting them to Russia is part of the strategy. Kim Jong-un had previously declared his “unconditional support” for Russia’s activities in Ukraine; during this process, Pyongyang is reported to have shipped ammunition to Moscow and sent thousands of troops to the region.
Source: C4Defence
