Arsenal of Missiles North Korea Possesses
North Korea's Missile Capabilities Expand as Hwasong-19 Makes Debut
North Korea's missile arsenal continues to evolve, with the recent testing of the Hwasong-19 and the reported presence of other advanced missiles in undisclosed bases.
According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), North Korea has enough material to produce up to 90 nuclear warheads, but has likely assembled fewer than that, closer to 50. The exact number of intercontinental missiles North Korea possesses remains unspecified.
The Hwasong-19 missile was launched for the first time last November. Details about the missile's capabilities are scarce, but it is believed to be a solid-fuel missile, offering advantages such as a shorter launch time, easier handling, and storage.
One such base, Sinpung-dong, is believed to contain between six and nine Hwasong-15 or Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). These missiles, reportedly housed in undisclosed bases like Sinpung-dong near the Chinese border, can reach targets thousands of kilometers away.
The Hwasong-15, also known as the KN-22, is up to 22.5 meters long and can reach targets up to 13,000 kilometers away. The Hwasong-18, while details are limited, is believed to have a range exceeding that of the Hwasong-15.
Other bases in North Korea could be equipped with the Hwasong-9, an extended range version of the Hwasong-6. The Hwasong-6 missile, in service since 1991, is an estimated 10.9 meters long and carries a single payload up to 770 kilograms. The Hwasong-9 has a range of 1,000 kilometers and a launch weight of 6,400 kilograms.
North Korea's missile arsenal also includes air defense missiles designed to destroy various air targets, such as drones and cruise missiles. During its first test, the North Korean leadership reported that the Hwasong-15 had a super-large heavy warhead capable of striking the whole mainland of the US.
However, specific details about these air defense missiles are scarce, as was the case with the recent launch of two new air defense missiles earlier this week, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The KCNA report did not provide details about the missiles or where the test was conducted.
Despite the lack of concrete information, reports from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggest that there are undeclared missile bases in North Korea. This underscores the need for continued vigilance and understanding of North Korea's missile capabilities.
