North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for an increase in missile production to help secure “overwhelming military power” and be ready for war, state media KCNA said on Monday.

Kim gave the order as he visited key munitions factories that produce tactical missiles, missile launch platforms, armoured vehicles, and artillery shells on Friday and Saturday. His field inspection was the latest in a string of visits to arms factories, where he ordered mass production of weapons.

Kim noted an “important goal to dramatically increase” missile production capacity to meet the needs of the expanded and strengthened frontline military units, KCNA said.

“The qualitative levels of war preparations depend on the development of the munitions industry, and the factory has a tremendous responsibility in accelerating our military’s war preparations,” Kim was quoted as saying.

“Our army must thoroughly secure overwhelming military power and solid readiness to handle any war at any time, so that the enemy does not dare to use force and would be annihilated if it does,” Kim said.

This came days before South Korea and the US are to begin annual military drills, which Pyongyang sees as a rehearsal for war.