North Korea fired its Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile on Sunday, ending one of its busiest missile tests ever, underscoring efforts to ensure it has a reliable delivery system for nuclear warheads.

The test program in January began with the launch of a new “hypersonic missile” and later included long-range cruise missiles, as well as short-range ballistic missiles launched from rail cars and airfields, underscoring the rapidly expanding and advancing nuclear arsenal of the nuclear-armed nation . Denuclearization talks have stalled.

North Korea has not tested its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or nuclear weapons since 2017, but the Hwasong-12 launch suggests it may resume such tests soon, South Korean and U.S. officials said.

Here are the different types of weapons tested so far this month:

“Hypersonic” missile

North Korea said it again tested a new “hypersonic missile” on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11, with Kim Jong-un reportedly participating in a second launch.

Hypersonic weapons typically fly to their targets at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles, and can travel at more than five times the speed of sound — or about 6,200 kilometers per hour (3,850 mph).

Despite the name, analysts say the main characteristic of hypersonic weapons is not speed, but their maneuverability, which can help them evade missile defenses.

South Korean officials questioned the missile’s claimed capabilities after the first test, but said the second test appeared to show better performance.

Analysts say that if Pyongyang can perfect such weapons, it would represent a potentially major escalation in its strike force against nearby adversaries.

KN-23 SRBM

North Korea fired a pair of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) from a train close to China’s northern border on Jan. 14 in what state media said was a short-notice exercise aimed at improving the proficiency of missile-operating forces.

Analysts say that despite the limited and sometimes unreliable rail network in the country, rail-mobile missiles are a relatively cheap and effective option for improving the survivability of its nuclear forces, making it difficult for enemies to detect and destroy them before launch. .

Experts say the missiles appear to be KN-23 SRBMs, first tested in May 2019 and designed to evade missile defenses by flying in lower “low pressure” orbits.

North Korea later fired another pair of KN-23 missiles from a wheeled launch vehicle.

State media said the tests confirmed the “explosive power” of its conventional warhead, while analysts noted that its flight trajectory was the lowest yet.

KN-24 SRBM

North Korea launched two SRBMs in a rare test on January 17 at an airport in the capital, Pyongyang.

According to state media, the two missiles “accurately hit an island target off the east coast”.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times