Hwasal-2

The Hwasal-2 (Korean: 《화살-2》형; lit. Arrow Type 2) is a North Korean cruise missile.

Hwasal-2
Diagram of Hwasal-2 (white-painted version)
Type	Long-range, land-attack cruise missile Surface-to-surface missile
Place of origin	North Korea
Service history
In service	2021-present
Used by	Korean People's Army
Production history
Manufacturer	North Korea
Specifications
Mass	1,300 kg (2,900 lb)
Length	7 m (23 ft)
Diameter	0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Warhead	tactical nuclear weapons 400 kg (880 lb) warhead
Engine	turbofan or turbojet
Operational range	About 1,500–2,000 km (930–1,240 mi)
Launch platform	Transporter erector launcher (TEL), submarine, corvette ship

Description

The Hwasal-2 is estimated to be 7 m (23 ft) long, 0.6 m (2.0 ft) wide and weigh 1,300 kg (2,900 lb). Its assumed range is 1,500–2,000 km (930–1,240 mi). The estimated payload mass is 400 kg (880 lb).^[1] The Hwasal-2 can be launched by land-based mobile launcher, corvette ship or submarine.^[2]

It is capable of carrying Hwasan-31 nuclear warhead.^[3]

Hwasal-2 has three color versions: White, black and dark blue.

History

This missile was first observed in Self-Defense-2021 military exhibition with another cruise missile, Hwasal-1.^[4]

On 23 February 2023, the Korean Central News Agency revealed the missile's official name as Hwasal-2.^[5]

A black-painted version was tested on 30 January 2024.^[6]

A dark blue-painted version of Hwasal-2 was also displayed during the launching ceremony for the Choe Hyon destroyer ship on 25 April 2025.^[7]

List of Hwasal-2 launches

Attempt	Date	Location	Pre-launch announcement / detection	Outcome	Additional notes	Reference(s)
1	25 January 2022	Hamhung (39.111832°N 127.666801°E / 39.111832; 127.666801)	None	Success	North Korea did not mention the name of missile, later confirmed as Hwasal-2 as it has same design.	[8][9]
2	12 October 2022	Kaechon	None	Success	North Korea also did not reveal official name of the missile in this test. The missiles flew for over 10,200 seconds and hit the target 2,000 km (1,200 mi) away. Kim Jong Un supervised the test. The images of this test may be from the September 2021 tests of the then-unnamed Hwasal-1. According to 38 North, the missiles launched in October 2022 test were Hwasal-2.	[10][11][12][13]
3	23 February 2023	Kimchaek	None	Un­known	North Korea asserted launch of 4 missiles. However, South Korean Ministry of National Defense was skeptical on North Korean news report. Image showed a Hwasal-2 in white livery with black-painted nose cone being launched.	[14][15]
4	22 March 2023	South Hamgyong	None	Success	North Korea launched two Hwasal-2 along with another two Hwasal-1 cruise missiles. Kim Jong Un oversaw the test. Images showed a Hwasal-2 in black livery, with white-painted nose cone.	[16][17]
5	Before 21 August 2023	South Hamgyong	None	Success	North Korea launched at least two Hwasal-2 missiles over the Amnok-class ship.	[18][19]
6	30 January 2024	Unknown	None	Success	Images showed a Hwasal-2 in black livery, with white-painted nose cone.	[6]

See also

• Hwasal-1
• Pulhwasal-3-31