Kim Jong Un Seen Inspecting Austrian-Made Sniper Rifle Amid North Korean Special Forces Demonstration

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was recently seen inspecting an Austrian-made SSG 08 sniper rifle, manufactured by Steyr-Mannlicher AG, according to Militarnyi on April 7.

Images of Kim holding the rifle were shared on social media in March 2025, reportedly during a demonstration for North Korea’s special operations forces.

According to open-source materials, these precision rifles were delivered to units within the Korean People’s Army’s special forces. The origin of the weapons remains unclear, but given ongoing international sanctions, it is likely they were acquired through third-party countries.

The Steyr SSG 08 is a bolt-action sniper rifle known for its high accuracy and was developed with input from snipers of Austria’s elite counter-terrorism unit, EKO Cobra.

The rifle features a cold-hammer-forged barrel with a three-chamber muzzle brake, a side-folding adjustable aluminum stock, and a four-lug bolt locking system. It uses detachable box magazines with a 10-round capacity.

The SSG 08 is designed for long-range engagements, with an effective range reported to be up to 1,500 meters. Its trigger mechanism is adjustable, allowing for a trigger pull weight between 1 and 2 kilograms, and is equipped with a two-stage trigger.

Earlier, satellite imagery analyzed by 38 North on March 4 confirmed that North Korea is nearing completion of its first airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, based on an Il-76 airframe. The aircraft, equipped with a radar system resembling Chinese designs, marks a significant step in enhancing North Korea’s real-time airspace monitoring capabilities.

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