North Korea: Total Armed Forces
Active forces: 1.14 million
Special forces: 100,000 estimated (world's largest)
Manpower fit for military service: 3,694,855
North Korea possesses the world's fifth largest military and is the most militarized nation in proportion to population (estimated at 22 million. Military spending is $5.2 billion or 22.9% percent of North Koreaâs GDP while around 70 percent of N. Korea's army is deployed within 65 km of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Overall, the effectiveness of the North Korean military is questionable. The majority of its tanks, for example, were acquired from the now defunct Soviet Union (Russian T-54 and T-55 tanks) - many of which are over 50 years old. In addition, visitors to the North claim that it is quite common to find abandoned military vehicles along the roads. A senior officer who defected from the Korean People's Army claims that the North does not possess enough fuel for military exercises and soldiers are told not to waste bullets during training.
Naval Organization
The DPRK Navy is employed primarily for coastal defense, offensive and defensive mining operations, and in-land support. Intelligence reports indicate that approximately 40 out of the country's estimated 430 combat vessels have the ability to be a viable threat. Included in this assessment are guided-missile ships which are equipped with Styx antiship missiles (range = 45km).
Other relevant points regarding the DRPK Navy:
Pyongyang's 22 Soviet-made, Romeo-class submarines are outdated and slow.
48,000 personnel
430 combat vessels
50 submarines (26 attack subs)
340 support ships
:eek:
I can see why the USA don't want to upset them. They won't bully North Korea like they can with the middle east. interesting times.
Active forces: 1.14 million
Special forces: 100,000 estimated (world's largest)
Manpower fit for military service: 3,694,855
North Korea possesses the world's fifth largest military and is the most militarized nation in proportion to population (estimated at 22 million. Military spending is $5.2 billion or 22.9% percent of North Koreaâs GDP while around 70 percent of N. Korea's army is deployed within 65 km of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Overall, the effectiveness of the North Korean military is questionable. The majority of its tanks, for example, were acquired from the now defunct Soviet Union (Russian T-54 and T-55 tanks) - many of which are over 50 years old. In addition, visitors to the North claim that it is quite common to find abandoned military vehicles along the roads. A senior officer who defected from the Korean People's Army claims that the North does not possess enough fuel for military exercises and soldiers are told not to waste bullets during training.
Naval Organization
The DPRK Navy is employed primarily for coastal defense, offensive and defensive mining operations, and in-land support. Intelligence reports indicate that approximately 40 out of the country's estimated 430 combat vessels have the ability to be a viable threat. Included in this assessment are guided-missile ships which are equipped with Styx antiship missiles (range = 45km).
Other relevant points regarding the DRPK Navy:
Pyongyang's 22 Soviet-made, Romeo-class submarines are outdated and slow.
48,000 personnel
430 combat vessels
50 submarines (26 attack subs)
340 support ships
:eek:
I can see why the USA don't want to upset them. They won't bully North Korea like they can with the middle east. interesting times.
