Analysis new ICBM & tactical ballistic missiles North Korea parade February 2018


Analysis by Army Recognition online defense and security magazine editorial team about the new tactical ballistic missiles and ICBM InterContinental Ballistic Missiles presented by the North Korean armed forces during the military parade in Pyongyang (North Korea) that celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean People's Army, February 8, 2018.


Analysis North Korea tactical InterContinental Ballistic Missile ICBM military parade February 2018 925 001
North Korea has presented a full fange of ballistic missiles and ICBM InterContinental Ballistic Missile during the military parade in Pyongyang, February 8, 2018. (Picture source Internet)


1. Copy of Russian Iskander

At the military parade of February 8, 2018, North Korea has unveiled a new type of mobile ballistic missile mounted on an 8x8 military truck chassis which is used as TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher).

The size and external features of the new North Korean mobile tactical missile showed at the military parade suggests that the system is based on the Russian Iskander (9K720) ballistic missile. Each TEL is based on a four-axle vehicle that carries two missiles similar in appearance to the 9M723 and 9M723-1 missiles used by the Russian-made Iskander-M.

The Iskander missile can carry a conventional warheads including HE fragmentation, sub-munition, penetration, fuel-air explosive and electro-magnetic pulse, with a maximum payload 480 kg. The minimum firing range of the missile is 50 km and the maximum is 280 km, while 400 km for the Iskander-M missile. The missile is powered by a single-stage solid-propellant engine.


Iskander copy tactical missile North Korea army military parade February 2018 925 001
New North Korean mobile tactical missile showed at the military parade of February 8, 2018, suggests that the system is based on the Russian Iskander (9K720) ballistic missile. (Source KCNA via Internet)


Iskander copy tactical missile North Korea army military parade February 2018 925 002


2. KN-15 Pukguksong-2 medium-range ballistic missile

The KN-15 also called Pukguksong-2 is a road-mobile Medium to Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile based on the KN-11 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), also known as the Pukguksong-1 (Polaris-1). For the land version, the missile is carried on tracked armoured chassis which is used as TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher).

The missile can carried Conventional or Nuclear warhead and it has a maximum firing range of 1,200 km. It was first tested by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on February 12, 2017.On May 21, 2017, North Korea carried out a second successful test launch of the KN-15. The missile was launched from the country of Pukchang, flying 500 km eastward, climbing to an altitude of 560 km before falling into the sea.


KN 15 Pukguksong 2 medium range ballistic missile North Korea army military parade February 2018 925 001
Pukguksong-2/KN-15 road-mobile Medium to Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile on tracked armoured at military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 8, 2018. (Source KCNA via Internet)


3. Hwasong-12/KN-17 intermediate-range ballistic missile

The Hwasong-12 also named KN-17 is a road mobile Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile. The missile is carried on a truck similar to the Russian-made MAZ-547A (MKZT-7916) with 12 wheels as the No-Dong-B BM-25 Musudan, but the vehicle has been modified with additional armour plates on each side. The vehicle is also used as TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher).

The Hwasong-12 was first unveiled to the public during a military parade in North Korea on April 14, 2017. The first firing test was performed in May 2017, and according to some military sources, it has a firing range from 3,600 to 6,000 km.


Hwasong 12 KN 17 ballsitic missile North Korea army military parade February 2018 925 001
Hwasong-12/KN-17 road-mobile Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile at military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 8, 2018. (Source KCNA via Internet)


4. Hwasong-14 / KN-20  ICBM InterContinental Ballistic Missile

The Hwasong-14 also named KN-20 is Road Mobile Surface-to-surface Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that can be equipped with conventional or nuclear weighting 500 kg maximum.

On July 4, 2017, North Korea successfully tested the Hwasong-14, flying during 40 minutes, reached an altitude of 2,802 km, and traveled approximately 930 km before landing in the Sea of Japan.

According military experts, the Hwasong-14 ICBM would have a range of 10,400 km, allowing it the range to reach most of the continental United States.


Hwasong 14 ICBM on 6x6 truck transporter and trailer North Korea army military parade February 2018 925 001
Hwasong-14/KN-20 road-mobile Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile at military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 8, 2018. (Source KCNA via Internet)


Hwasong 14 ICBM on 6x6 truck transporter and trailer North Korea army military parade February 2018 925 002


5. Hwasong-15 / KN-22 ICBM InterContinental Ballistic Missile

The Hwasong-15 also named KN-22 is a road mobile Surface-to-surface Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) fully developed by the North Korean defense industry. It was tested for the first time on November 28, 2017 from a launch location approximately 30 km north of Pyongyang.

The Hwasong-15 can carried a conventional or nuclear warhead with a maximum payload of 1,000 kg. It has a maximum firing range of 13,000 km.

The Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) truck that carries the missile, believed to be the same Chinese WS51200 logging truck used for the Hwasong-14, has been modified with an additional ninth axel to accommodate the missile’s larger size. The truck also has a different arm configuration. Whereas the Hwasong-14 uses a single central heave arm, the Hwasong-15 uses two heave arms on either side of the erector.


Hwasong 15 KN 22 ICBM InterVontinental Ballistic Missile on 9 axles truck North Korea army military parade February 2018 925 001
Hwasong-15/KN-22 road-mobile Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile at military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 8, 2018. (Source KCNA via Internet)


Hwasong 15 KN 22 ICBM InterVontinental Ballistic Missile on 9 axles truck North Korea army military parade February 2018 925 002