The Last Korean War Aircraft ‘MiG-15s’ Still Serving in 2024

This year marks the 77th anniversary of the first flight of the iconic MiG-15, a jet that became famous during the Cold War. Despite its age, this aircraft is still in service in 2024, but only in one country—North Korea. The Korean People’s Army Air Force has a unique mixture of modern and old aircraft. Among these, the MiG-15 stands out due to its long history and impressive service record.

A Blend of Old and New

The Korean People’s Army Air Force includes both modern and older aircraft. Here are some of the notable planes in their fleet:

MiG-29: The MiG-29 is one of the more modern planes in the North Korean air force. It is a front-line combat aircraft that first entered service in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. It is known for its agility and advanced avionics.

MiG-23: Introduced in the late 1960s, the MiG-23 is a swing-wing fighter jet. It can carry a variety of weapons and is versatile in different combat roles.

MiG-21 and Chengdu F-7: The MiG-21, and its Chinese version the Chengdu F-7, are some of the most numerous aircraft in the North Korean fleet. First flown in the 1950s, these jets are still in use today because they are simple, reliable, and easy to maintain. There are about 120 Chengdu F-7s currently in service.

Shenyang F-5: The Shenyang F-5 is the Chinese version of the Soviet MiG-17, an aircraft that entered service in 1952. North Korea currently has around 106 of these planes, making it the second most numerous fighter in their air force.

Il-28 and Harbin H-5: The Il-28 is a bomber that dates back to the 1940s. North Korea also uses a Chinese copy of this bomber, known as the Harbin H-5. Despite their age, these bombers are still operational.

The MiG-15: A Historic Aircraft

The MiG-15 is one of the oldest jets still in service. It first flew in 1947 and entered service in 1949. This aircraft was revolutionary due to its swept-wing design and powerful engine. The engine was a licensed copy of the British Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet.

The Soviet Union got this advanced British engine because of a decision by the British government to improve relations with the Soviet Union. The engine made the MiG-15 a formidable aircraft that outperformed American jets during the Korean War. The MiG-15 went on to serve in many conflicts, including the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956 and the Taiwan Straits Crisis in the late 1950s.

Current Role of the MiG-15 in North Korea

In North Korea, the MiG-15 has been relegated to the role of an advanced jet trainer. This means it is no longer used in combat but is still important for training new pilots. North Korea currently operates 15 MiG-15s for this purpose. Alongside these, they also use 30 Shenyang F-2 trainers, which are Chinese versions of the MiG-15 trainer. This gives North Korea a total of 45 MiG-15-style jets in service.

The North Korean Air Force: A Flying Museum

The North Korean Air Force is often called a “flying museum” because it operates so many old aircraft. In the event of a war, these outdated planes would struggle against modern fighters from South Korea, Japan, or the United States. However, as the current conflict in Ukraine has shown, old military equipment can still be useful in times of need. So, it is possible that North Korea’s MiG-15s could see combat again if war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula.

The continued use of the MiG-15 in North Korea is a fascinating example of how old technology can remain relevant. Despite being over 70 years old, these jets are still a valuable part of North Korea’s military. This makes the MiG-15 not just a piece of history, but an active part of the present as well.