North Korean special forces have been recorded operating the Bulsae-4 system in Russian border zones, confirming deeper North Korean-Russian ties.

Crying and holding the hands of his top generals as the caskets containing the bodies of North Korean troops killed fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine returned home, Kim Jong-un wanted the world to know that his bond with Russia was stronger than ever. It was built, supposedly, not only on mutual interests, but on an emotional basis, too. 

For more than a year, North Korea has provided critical logistical support for the Russians in their war against Ukraine. More recently, North Korea began sending trainloads of their troops to the frontline to fight against Ukrainian troops during their invasion of Russia’s Kursk region. This was done in exchange for access to Russian military technology and expanded trade relations. 

It has often been remarked that the North Koreans—having been isolated since the 1950s, and with military doctrine to match—were utterly unprepared to fight a modern drone war. Indeed, the North Koreans’ astronomical casualty rates led Russia to pull them from the front lines in January, presumably for education in how to fight a modern war.

In exchange for the sacrifice of North Korean blood, however, North Korea’s military is going through a generational leap forward, thanks to the infusion of cash, technology, and battlefield experience in Kursk. This also notably comes at a time when Pyongyang’s great rival in South Korea is going through a very rough moment, in which its political system has been disrupted and its military is nowhere near as potent as it once was.

Understanding the Bulsae-4 Missile Launcher

One such system that highlights the North Korean military modernization efforts is the Bulsae-4 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system. Also known as the M-2018 NLOS ATGM, this weapon is a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile system specifically built to attack armored vehicles, helicopters, and fortified positions from extended ranges. The Bulsae-4 has drawn attention for its deployment and effectiveness. 

The Bulsae family of ATGMs traces its roots to North Korea’s acquisition and reverse-engineering of Soviet-era systems in the late twentieth century. Specifically, North Korea obtained 9K111 Fagot missiles, which were adapted into earlier variants, like the Bulsae-2. The Bulsae-4, introduced around 2018, marks a leap forward, incorporating modern guidance technologies. It was first publicly displayed in North Korean military parades and exhibitions, such as the 2024 “Defense Development-2024” event in Pyongyang. 

North Korea’s secretive defense industry has focused on self-reliance, blending indigenous innovation with foreign influences. The Bulsae-4’s chassis is based on the M-2010 six-by-six wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC), a North Korean derivative of Russian BTR-80 designs. Recent adaptations include mounting on civilian pickups and SUVs, enhancing mobility and reducing costs, as seen in combat footage from 2025. This evolution underscores Pyongyang’s push for asymmetric warfare tools amid international sanctions.

At its core, the Bulsae-4 is a fiber-optic-guided missile system capable of engaging targets beyond direct line-of-sight. The missile features an electro-optical seeker for real-time video transmission, allowing operators to adjust trajectories mid-flight via a fiber-optic cable. This ensures precision, with a non-ballistic flight path that evades radar detection. It also renders the missile immune to electronic warfare jamming efforts—a common weapon used by the Ukrainians against Russian drone attacks.

The Bulsae-4 System’s Specifications

• Year Introduced: Unknown (first seen in combat 2024)
• Number Built: Unknown
• Platform Length: Unknown (built on North Korean 6×6 APC chassis)
• Platform Width: Unknown
• Platform Top Speed: Approx. 56 mph
• Turret: Rotary turret holding up to eight missiles
• Missile Warhead: Unknown; top-attack mode targets armored vehicles’ weakest points (similar to US Javelin missile)
• Missile Top Speed: Approx. 425 mph
• Missile Range: 6 to 15 miles
• Crew: 2-3

Compared to similar systems like Israeli Spike-NLOS or China’s HJ-10, the Bulsae-4 emphasizes extended range and operator control. It excels in standoff engagements, minimizing risks to launch platforms. Its NLOS feature also allows firing from cover, such as buildings or terrain folds, while the fiber-optic link provides live feeds for lock-on-after-launch targeting. This versatility extends to anti-helicopter roles, engaging rotary-wing aircraft at distance.

In urban or forested environments, the system’s manual guidance shines, navigating obstacles to strike hidden targets.