Article Posted on : - Feb 05, 2012

A file photo of MQM-107 Streaker in flight.

SEOUL (PTI): North Korea is developing unmanned attack aircraft using US target drones purchased reportedly from Syria, a media report said Sunday.

Based on MQM-107D Streaker target drones, which are used by the US army, the aircraft has been imported from a Middle East nation believed to be Syria, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

"North Korea recently bought several US MQM-107D Streakers from a Middle Eastern nation that appears to be Syria, and is developing unmanned attack aircraft based on them," the report quoted a source on condition of anonymity.

North Korea has conducted numerous tests on high-speed target drones mounted with high explosives, but has yet to master the technology, the report said, citing South Korean intelligence sources.

The North appears likely to deploy them near the inter-Korean border to target South Korean troops stationed on border islands in the Yellow Sea, Yonhap said.