Hwasong-17

Hwasong-17. It is a liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile developed and operated by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. First unveiled in 2020, the missile represents a significant advancement in North Korea's strategic weapons program, designed to deliver a nuclear warhead to targets across the continental United States. Its development and testing have been central to the military policies of Kim Jong-un and have provoked major international security concerns.

Development and design

The Hwasong-17 was developed by the Academy of National Defense Science under the direction of the Workers' Party of Korea and the State Affairs Commission. Its design is believed to leverage technology from earlier systems like the Hwasong-15 while incorporating a larger diameter and more powerful liquid-propellant rocket engine stages. The missile utilizes a transporter erector launcher based on a modified chassis, potentially sourced from China or the former Soviet Union, for road-mobile launches. Analysts from institutions like the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies note its design suggests a focus on increased throw weight to potentially carry multiple re-entry vehicles or penetration aids. The development program accelerated following the collapse of the 2019 Hanoi Summit between Kim Jong-un and then-U.S. President Donald Trump.

Operational history

The missile was first paraded in October 2020 during a military parade in Pyongyang celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. Its first full flight test occurred on March 24, 2022, launched from the Pyongyang International Airport area, which Korean Central News Agency claimed demonstrated its ability to strike targets across the United States. A subsequent test on November 18, 2022, confirmed its operational range and featured the missile impacting in the Sea of Japan within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone. These tests were personally supervised by Kim Jong-un alongside officials like his sister, Kim Yo-jong. The successful launches coincided with major exercises by the United States Forces Korea and the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.

Technical specifications

The Hwasong-17 is estimated to be approximately 26 meters in length and 2.9 meters in diameter, making it one of the largest road-mobile ICBMs globally. It is a two-stage, liquid-fueled missile with an estimated maximum range exceeding 15,000 kilometers, capable of reaching any location in the United States. Its payload capacity is assessed by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance to be large enough for multiple warheads or a single large thermonuclear weapon. Guidance is presumed to be via an advanced inertial navigation system, potentially augmented by stellar navigation. The launch vehicle is an 11-axle transporter-erector-launcher, providing a high degree of mobility and survivability against pre-emptive strikes.

Strategic role and significance

The Hwasong-17 forms the cornerstone of North Korea's declared policy of achieving a credible nuclear deterrent against the United States. It is operated by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force and is intended to provide a secure second-strike capability, thereby underpinning the state's doctrine of nuclear deterrence. Its development directly supports the goals outlined in the Byungjin Line policy of parallel economic and nuclear development. The missile's perceived capability to overwhelm regional missile defense systems, such as the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense in South Korea or the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, significantly alters the strategic calculus in Northeast Asia.

International reactions and analysis

The testing of the Hwasong-17 has been universally condemned by the United Nations Security Council, with resolutions citing violations of multiple UNSC sanctions. The United States Department of State and the Pentagon have characterized its development as a serious escalation and a threat to international peace. Allies including Japan, South Korea, and members of the European Union have imposed additional unilateral sanctions. Security analysts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Federation of American Scientists debate its true reliability and operational readiness, noting the technical challenges of maintaining liquid-fueled missiles. The program has been a persistent point of contention in diplomatic engagements, including discussions at the ASEAN Regional Forum and remains a central issue for the United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Category:Intercontinental ballistic missiles of North Korea Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2020s