Facts About the Hwasong-17 Missile, North Korea's Latest Newly Launched ICBM Missile

Facts About the Hwasong-17 Missile, North Korea's Latest Newly Launched ICBM Missile

International Military - North Korea says it has just test-launched its new massive Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). According to analysts, this is likely the first successful launch of the missile system after doubts were raised over earlier claims.

Following are the facts about North Korea's newest ICBM missile, as quoted by Reuters.

1. How big is the Hwasong-17 Missile?

The Hwasong-17 is North Korea's largest nuclear-armed missile, and the world's largest liquid-fueled ICBM. According to 38 North, a US-based program that monitors North Korea, its diameter is estimated to be between 2.4 and 2.5 meters, and its total mass, when fully loaded, is likely to be between 80,000 and 110,000 kg.

Unlike previous North Korean ICBMs, the Hwasong-17 was launched directly from a carrier, erector, launcher (TEL) with 11 axles. That's what the photos by the state media show.

2. How far can the Hwasong-17 Missile fly?

North Korea's KCNA news agency reported that the missile launched on Friday flew nearly 1,000 km for about 69 minutes and reached a maximum altitude of 6,041 km. Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said the weapons could travel 15,000 miles, enough to reach the mainland United States.

3. Previous Hwasong-17 Missile Launch?

North Korea previously claimed to have successfully launched the Hwasong-17 for the first time on March 24, when state media said the missile flew for 67.5 minutes to a range of 1,090 km and a maximum altitude of 6,248.5 km. After that launch, however, analysts and intelligence officials in South Korea and the United States have concluded that North Korea had in fact launched the Hwasong-15, which was first tested in 2017.

4. Previous sighting of the Hwasong-17 Missile?

North Korea first launched the previously unseen ICBM at a pre-dawn military parade in October 2020, with analysts noting it appeared "much bigger" than the Hwasong-15. The missile was displayed for the second time at a defense exhibition in Pyongyang in October 2021. After examining photos of the exhibition, analysts concluded the official sighting of this large ICBM was most likely a Hwasong-17, not a Hwasong-16.

Officials in Seoul and Washington said the launches on February 27 and March 5 involved the Hwasong-17 ICBM system, although they did not test its capabilities or full range. Some analysts say the test may involve only one stage.

5. Hwasong-17 Missile Design?

The size of the Hwasong-17 has prompted analysts to speculate that the missile will be designed to carry multiple warheads and decoys to better penetrate missile defenses. Observers say that the satellite technology North Korea claims it tested in the February 27 and March 5 launches could also be used for an independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) system, potentially allowing one missile to drop a nuclear warhead on a different target. .

South Korea and the United States say North Korea has made preparations to proceed with nuclear tests for the first time since 2017, and officials say the new tests could help develop warheads for the MIRV system.