ABSTRACT
The previous chapters highlight the fact that a notable share of Pyongyang’s contemporary global military market consists of supplying spare parts for or servicing ‘antique’ systems designed and sold decades ago. Many of North Korea’s clients were previous beneficiaries of communist bloc generosity, but today struggle to keep portions of their arsenals operational. Yet systems designed in the early or mid-Cold War cannot be kept in service forever. Over time those weapons must be replaced by newer technology, because of their declining functionality, their lack of likely effectiveness against enemy forces, or both. North Korea’s uphill battle in marketing weapons and related services is therefore on the cusp of becoming even steeper.
