Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters). – January 2018 was a very busy month in North Korea’s missile testing. There were many launches that displayed a diverse array of weapon types, locations and increased sophistication.

From hypersonic missiles and long-range cruise missiles to missiles launched from railcars and airports, the tests highlight the nuclear-armed state’s rapidly expanding and advancing arsenal https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-capability-analys-idUSKCN1SG0CR amid stalled denuclearisation talks.

North Korea hasn’t tested its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons since 2017, but leader Kim Jong Un has pushed for more “military muscle” https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-says-leader-kim-attended-successful-hypersonic-missile-test-2022-01-11 to counter what he sees as threats from the United States and its allies in Asia.

State media reported that Kim went to an “important” munitions plant, which was not identified. This underscores his promise to increase capabilities and mass-produce and deploy more weapons.

Below are some of the types of weapons we have tested thus far in this month’s testing:

MISSILES HYPERSONIC

North Korea said it tested a new type of “hypersonic missile” https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-tests-hypersonic-missiles-global-race-new-rockets-2022-01-11 on Jan. 5 and again on Jan. 11, with Kim Jong Un reported to have attended the second launch. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-says-leader-kim-attended-successful-hypersonic-missile-test-2022-01-11

Hypersonic weapons fly at lower altitudes to hit targets than ballistic missiles. They can travel more than five times faster than sound, or 6,200 kilometers per hour (or 3,850 mph).

According to analysts, hypersonic weapons’ main characteristic isn’t speed, although they are called that. However, their maneuverability can be used to help them avoid missile defense systems.

South Korean officials questioned https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/skorea-casts-doubts-north-koreas-hypersonic-missile-claims-2022-01-07 the capabilities of the missile after the first test, saying it did not appear to demonstrate the range and manoeuvrability claimed in a state media report and featured a Manoeuvrable Reentry Vehicle (MaRV) rather than the type of next-generation hypersonic glide vehicle developed by countries like China and Russia. Later, those officials stated that the second test showed greater performance.

Analysts said if Pyongyang can perfect such weapons, it would represent a potential major upgrade https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkoreas-hypersonic-missile-tests-raise-military-stakes-asia-2022-01-14 in its striking power against its nearby adversaries, complicating efforts by the United States and its Asian allies to counter that.

KN-23 SRBM

On Jan. 14 North Korea launched a pair of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from a train https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-used-railway-born-missile-fridays-test-kcna-2022-01-14 near the northern border with China, in what state media said was a short-notice drill aimed at boosting the proficiency of the troops operating the missiles.

North Korea first tested https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-launches-were-test-new-railway-borne-missile-system-kcna-2021-09-15 the rail-based system in September, saying it was designed as a potential counter-strike to any threatening forces.

Analysts believe that rail mobiles missiles can be a cost-effective and effective way for the nation to boost its nuclear force survivability, even though it has a limited and unreliable railway system.

Experts confirmed that the missiles looked to be KN-23 SRBMs. These missiles have been tested for missile defenses since May 2019 and can fly on a “depressed” trajectory to evade them.

On Thursday, North Korea launched another pair KN23 missiles from its wheeled launch vehicle.

State media reported that the tests proved its “explosive force” while analysts said it traveled on its lowest trajectory to date.

KN-24 SRBM

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) in a rare test https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-tested-tactical-guided-missiles-monday-kcna-2022-01-17 from an airport in its capital, Pyongyang, on Jan. 17.

State media reported that the pair of missiles had “precisely struck an island target” just off the East Coast.

Analysts believed the missiles were KN-24 SRBMs, which were last tested March 2020.

KN-24 looks similar to U.S. MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System.

LONG-RANGE CRUISE ISSILE

Two long-range cruise missiles with a 1,800km range were reported by state media on Tuesday. They hit a target island off the coast of North Korea.

According to KCNA, the cruise missile will play a part in “boosting war deterrence” of the country.

In September, North Korea tested a new “strategic” https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-test-fires-long-range-cruise-missile-kcna-2021-09-12 cruise missile for the first time, seen as possibly the country’s first such weapon with a nuclear capability.

Analysts believed the new cruise missile looked similar but showed some signs that it could be a variant.

Although cruise missiles from North Korea are less popular than those of ballistic missiles due to their lack of explicit bans in U.N Security Council Resolutions they still pose a risk. Analysts however believe that land-attack cruise missiles could be just as dangerous than missiles.