Hwasong-9
| Hwasong-9 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Korean People's Army Strategic Force |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1990s |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6,400–9,200 kg (14,100–20,300 lb) |
| Length | 12.8–13.5 m (42–44 ft) |
| Diameter | 0.88 m (2 ft 11 in) |
| Warhead | 500 kg (1,100 lb) single warhead (conventional high-explosive, chemical, or biological) Possibly nuclear-capable |
Operational range | 700–1,000 km (430–620 mi) |
| Accuracy | 3,000 m (9,800 ft) CEP |
Launch platform | 4-axle TEL |
The Hwasong-9[1][a] (Korean: 《화성-9》형; lit. Mars Type 9) is a North Korean single-stage, liquid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile.
Description
[edit]| Images of the Hwasong-9 | |
|---|---|
 September 2016 test | |
| March 2017 test |
The Hwasong-9 is an advanced version of Hwasong-6 with a longer, lighter and wider body to storing more propellants, The Hwasong-9's estimated length, diameter and mass are 12.8–13.5 m (42–44 ft), 0.88 m (2 ft 11 in) and 6,400–9,200 kg (14,100–20,300 lb) respectively. The missile's transporter erector launcher is a MAZ-543 truck with four axles. It also has a separable warhead that is separated after engine burnout for improving the trajectory stability and reducing radar signature.[2][3][4]
As an enlarged, extended-range version of Hwasong-6, it can exchange payload for greater range. The Hwasong-9 is capable of travelling 700–1,000 km (430–620 mi) with a reduced payload of 500 kg (1,100 lb) and enlarging the propellant tanks. It is a single-stage, road mobile missile that can employ a high-explosive, submunition, chemical, or potentially miniaturized nuclear warhead with a 3 km (1.9 mi) CEP. Its range allows the North Korean military to strike anywhere on the Korean peninsula and threaten areas of Japan. It is possible that Hwasong-9 is nuclear-capable.[2][3][5]
History
[edit]Reportedly, North Korea began developing Hwasong-9 in 1991 and could start production from 1994.[2]
Reports suggest Syria received these missiles in 2000, enabling them to target all of Israel and southeastern Turkey, including Ankara. Syria also converted its own Hwasong-6 production line in order to make the Hwasong-9.[2][5]
According to the United Nations, since 2008, North Korea has assisted Syria in development of manoeuvrable vehicles for Hwasong-9.[6]
Hwasong-9 was test-fired in September 2016 and March 2017.[7]
In 2024, Hwasong-9 was reported to be used during Russian invasion of Ukraine from November 2023.[8]
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), as of 2025, North Korea is possessing "some" Hwasong-9 launchers.[9]: 268
Tests
[edit]| Attempt | Date (Pyongyang Standard Time) | Location | Number of missiles tested | Outcome | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 September 2016 | Hwangju, North Hwanghae Province[7] | 3 | Success | These missiles flew for 9 minutes, achieved 1,000 km (620 mi) range and around 200 km (120 mi) apogee.[4] The launch was supervised by Kim Jong Un.[10] |
| 2 | 6 March 2017 | Sohae Satellite Launching Station[7] | 4 (or 5) | Success (four missiles) Failure (possible fifth missile) |
These missiles launched simultaneously, achieved 260 km (160 mi) apogee and 1,000 km (620 mi) range. Three of four missiles landed just inside Japan’s air defense identification zone.[7][11] Kim Jong Un also supervised the launch.[12] It is possible that a fifth missile was launched in this salvo, but it appears to be failed shortly after launch.[7][13] |
North Korea may also test Hwasong-9 in 2006, 2009, and 2014, but due to the similarities between their Scud variants, it is difficult to confirm the exact missile used for each launch.[2]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Also known as Scud-ER (Scud Extended Range) and KN-04 (United States’s designation).[2][3]
References
[edit]- ^ Vladimir Khrustalev (16 July 2017). "Real Name!". NEAMS. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER)". Center for Strategic and International Studies. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. 21 April 2022. p. 6. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b Markus Schiller; Robert H. Schmucker (8 November 2016). "Flashback to the Past: North Korea's "New" Extended-Range Scud" (PDF). 38 North. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER/Scud-D Variant)". Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ James Bingham (4 April 2018). "UN report reveals extent of North Korean arms sales". Janes Information Services. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ Thế Duy (21 October 2024). "Tên lửa Triều Tiên Hwasong-9 được phát hiện tấn công mục tiêu ở Ukraine" [North Korean missile Hwasong-9 was detected hitting target in Ukraine]. Báo Công Thương (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (12 February 2025). The Military Balance 2025 (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-1041049678.
- ^ "Kim Jong Un Guides Fire Drill of Ballistic Rockets". Korean Central News Agency. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ John Schilling (8 March 2017). "Much Ado About Nothing: DPRK's Latest Missile Test Reveals No New Capabilities". 38 North. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Kim Jong Un Supervises Ballistic Rockets Launching Drill of Hwasong Artillery Units of KPA Strategic Force". Korean Central News Agency. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ Dave Schmerler (16 March 2017). "Did North Korea test a fifth missile last week?". NK Pro. Retrieved 1 January 2025.