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I guess there is at least one thing we can thank rising oil prices for:
North Korea has been forced to ground a fleet of Soviet-era military planes because of the high oil price, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.
Fuel is being diverted for other training flights, Yonhap quoted a military source as saying.
The Antonov An-2 biplanes – of which North Korea’s air force is thought to have about 300 – are able to drop special forces behind enemy lines. [BBC]
I have to wonder if an ageing fleet and availability of parts may be the real reason why these planes are being grounded. Call me cynical but just like anything else with North Korea I never accept what they say at face value.
It is the sad reality. No mistake...
8:43 am on October 30th, 2007 1
One of my favorite “I was at the border” shots is of the rusting NK navy eternally docked along the shores of the Yalu River within sight of the remains of the bombed out bridge.
1:05 am on October 30th, 2007 2
GIKorea,
I'm sure that part of the reason is for what you say that they are running out of maintenance options on these old aircraft. Another might be that this, like all older Soviet area aircraft with internal combustion engines to drive propellers are notorious gas hogs. The jet aircraft aren't much better but I'm sure that KJI figures he can get his infiltration troops south faster in newer NK built mini-submarines and other amphibious craft rather than these 60 year old rattle traps.
Tim in Angeles sendzzzzzzzzzz
2:29 am on October 30th, 2007 3
Maybe Kim Jong-il is counting on Chung Dong-young to get elected president because then he won't even need to infiltrate with subs then because the DMZ will be a "nature park" for his soldiers to easily walk across.
11:42 am on January 23rd, 2008 4
[...] is lacking many things. Food, medical care, oil, leaders with any brain matter. ROK Drop has a different take on what is going on north of the 38th parallel.I have to wonder if an ageing fleet and availability [...]