North Korea’s Ninth Party Congress will address gaps in its 2021 military development plan, with leader Kim Jong Un prioritizing conventional systems like drones, submarines, and satellites. While nuclear weapons remain central, analysts note uneven progress in capabilities such as long-range artillery and space-based surveillance.

The 2021 plan emphasized hypersonic missiles, solid-fuel ICBMs, and military reconnaissance satellites, but state media reports reveal incomplete testing of key systems, including a nuclear-powered submarine unveiled in late 2025. International concerns persist over potential Russian involvement in North Korea’s drone and missile production, with Ukrainian officials alleging Moscow-established drone manufacturing facilities in Pyongyang. Analysts warn that unresolved technical hurdles, such as submarine propulsion integration and satellite launch reliability, threaten Pyongyang’s strategic ambitions.