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Hwasong-11
North Korean class of ballistic missile From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Hwasong-11[a] (Korean: 화성-11; lit. Mars 11) is a class of single-stage, solid-fueled, short-range ballistic missile produced by North Korea.
Description
The missiles in the Hwasong-11 series, including the original version, the Hwasong-11A and the 11B, are single-stage, solid-fueled.[2][3][4]
The missiles are manufactured at the February 11 Plant, part of the Ryongsong Machine Complex, located in Hamhung, North Korea. The February 11 Plant appears to be the sole known facility for producing these missiles. In November 2024, satellite imagery indicated that the plant was undergoing expansion.[5]
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Original Hwasong-11
The original Hwasong-11 (《화성-11》형; lit. Mars Type 11), commonly known outside North Korea by its external designations KN-02[b] and Toksa (독사; lit. Viper) is a reverse-engineered, locally produced modification of the Soviet's OTR-21 Tochka short-range ballistic missile.
The original Hwasong-11's maximum range is 120–170 km (75–106 mi). It is capable of being equipped with a 250 kg (550 lb) or 485 kg (1,069 lb) warhead. It was first tested in 2006.[2]
The missile has an upgraded version, called KN-10 by United States, with a maximum range of 220 km (140 mi).[6]
Hwasong-11A
The Hwasong-11A (《화성-11가》형; lit. Mars Type 11A), also known as KN-23[b] is a single-stage, solid-fueled short-range ballistic missile that has an external resemblance to the Russian Iskander-M and South Korean Hyunmoo-2B short-range ballistic missiles.[7]
The missile has a maximum range is 900 km (560 mi).[8] and can be equipped with a 500 kg (1,100 lb) warhead at 690 km (430 mi).[3]
Hwasong-11A made its public debut in 2018 and was first test-fired in May 2019.[3]
Before July 2023, the Hwasong-11A was known only by its United States's designation. In July 2023, the missile's official designation was revealed.[9]
Hwasong-11A also has three variants, called Hwasong-11C, Hwasong-11D and Hwasong-11S.[10]
Hwasong-11B
The Hwasong-11B (《화성포-11나》형; lit. Mars Artillery Type 11B), also known as KN-24[b] is a single-stage, solid-fueled short-range ballistic missile that has an external resemblance to the United States's ATACMS.
Hwasong-11B has a maximum range of 410 km (250 mi). It was test-fired in August 2019.[4]
Beside the original black and white livery, the missile also has a beige-colored version, which was first shown in the “Self-Defence 2021” military exhibition,[11] where the official designation was revealed.[12]
Hwasong-11C
The Hwasong-11C (《화성포-11다》형; lit. Mars Artillery Type 11C) is the larger variant of Hwasong-11A with a closely similar design.[13][14]
First tested in March 2021, the missile's range is assumed to be about 600 km (370 mi) with a 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) warhead.[15]
In March 2023, North Korea revealed the missile's official designation.[16]
A larger version of Hwasong-11C, called Hwasong-11C-4.5, was first test-fired in July 2024 with a 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) warhead.[17]
Hwasong-11D
The Hwasong-11D (《화성포-11라》형; lit. Mars Artillery Type 11D) is the smaller variant of Hwasong-11A.[10]
The missile's assumed range is similar to original Hwasong-11.[18]
Made its public debut in April 2022,[15] however, the missile's official name was only revealed in March 2023.[16]
Hwasong-11S
The Hwasong-11S (《화성포-11ㅅ》형; lit. Mars Artillery Type 11S) is the underwater-launched variant of Hwasong-11A.[10]
The missile was first displayed in October 2021, during the "Self-Defence 2021" military exhibition.[19] Its first flight test also occurred in October 2021.[20]
The missile's official name was revealed in March 2023.[16]
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Usage
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Flight tests
Since 2013, North Korea has tested missiles in the Hwasong-11 series multiple times.[20]
Combat usage
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there are multiple reports of missiles from the Hwasong-11 series being used by Russian forces.
According to declassified United States intelligence informations, in October 2023, an unknown number of North Korean ballistic missiles were transferred to Russia. Based on debris left by Russian attacks on Ukrainian targets on 30 December 2023, the ring housing the control vanes have been identified as the characteristics of Hwasong-11A and 11B missiles.[21]
On 2 January 2024, during the Kharkiv strikes, Russia fired a missile that landed in Kharkiv. In April 2024, debris from this missile was confirmed by United Nations to be derived from a Hwasong-11-class missile.[22][23]
On 15 February 2024, a Hwasong-11B was shot down in Ukraine, near Kyiv.[24] A day later, on 16 February 2024, according to Ukraine, Russia used 24 Hwasong-11A and 11B missiles, with overall low accuracy.[25]
In November 2024, data from Ukrainian defense intelligence unit showed that Russia received 100 ballistic missiles from North Korea. Ukrainian military intelligence claimed these missiles to be Hwasong-11A and 11B.[26]
According to Ukraine, at the start of 2025, North Korea had supplied at least 148 Hwasong-11A and 11B missiles. Ukraine also claimed that the missile used in the 23 April 2025 Russian attack on civilians in Kyiv was Hwasong-11A.[27]
Notes
- Also called Hwasongpho-11.[1]
- The KN number is the designation used by United States for describing North Korean missiles.
References
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