Hwasong-9

The Hwasong-9^[1][a] (Korean: 《화성-9》형; lit. Mars Type 9) is a North Korean single-stage, liquid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile.

Hwasong-9
Type	Medium-range ballistic missile
Place of origin	North Korea
Service history
Used by	Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Production history
Designed	1990s
Specifications
Mass	6,400–9,200 kg (14,100–20,300 lb)
Length	12.8–13.5 m (42–44 ft)
Diameter	0.88 m (2 ft 11 in)
Warhead	500 kg (1,100 lb) single warhead (conventional high-explosive, chemical, or biological) Possibly nuclear-capable
Operational range	700–1,000 km (430–620 mi)
Accuracy	3,000 m (9,800 ft) CEP
Launch platform	4-axle TEL

Description

Images of the Hwasong-9
September 2016 test
March 2017 test

The Hwasong-9 is an advanced version of Hwasong-6 with a longer, lighter and wider body to storing more propellants, The Hwasong-9's estimated length, diameter and mass are 12.8–13.5 m (42–44 ft), 0.88 m (2 ft 11 in) and 6,400–9,200 kg (14,100–20,300 lb) respectively. The missile's transporter erector launcher is a MAZ-543 truck with four axles. It also has a separable warhead that is separated after engine burnout for improving the trajectory stability and reducing radar signature.^[2][3][4]

As an enlarged, extended-range version of Hwasong-6, it can exchange payload for greater range. The Hwasong-9 is capable of travelling 700–1,000 km (430–620 mi) with a reduced payload of 500 kg (1,100 lb) and enlarging the propellant tanks. It is a single-stage, road mobile missile that can employ a high-explosive, submunition, chemical, or potentially miniaturized nuclear warhead with a 3 km (1.9 mi) CEP. Its range allows the North Korean military to strike anywhere on the Korean peninsula and threaten areas of Japan. It is possible that Hwasong-9 is nuclear-capable.^[2][3][5]

History

Reportedly, North Korea began developing Hwasong-9 in 1991 and could start production from 1994.^[2]

Reports suggest Syria received these missiles in 2000, enabling them to target all of Israel and southeastern Turkey, including Ankara. Syria also converted its own Hwasong-6 production line in order to make the Hwasong-9.^[2][5]

According to the United Nations, since 2008, North Korea has assisted Syria in development of manoeuvrable vehicles for Hwasong-9.^[6]

Hwasong-9 was test-fired in September 2016 and March 2017.^[7]

In 2024, Hwasong-9 was reported to be used during Russian invasion of Ukraine from November 2023.^[8]

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), as of 2025, North Korea is possessing "some" Hwasong-9 launchers.^[9]: 268

Tests

Attempt	Date (Pyongyang Standard Time)	Location	Number of missiles tested	Outcome	Additional notes	References
1	5 September 2016	Hwangju, North Hwanghae Province	3	Success	These missiles flew for 9 minutes, achieved 1,000 km (620 mi) range and around 200 km (120 mi) apogee.[4] The launch was supervised by Kim Jong Un.	[7][10]
2	6 March 2017	Sohae Satellite Launching Station	4 (or 5)	Success (four missiles) Failure (possible fifth missile)	These missiles launched simultaneously, achieved 260 km (160 mi) apogee and 1,000 km (620 mi) range. Three of four missiles landed just inside Japan’s air defense identification zone. Kim Jong Un also supervised the launch. It is possible that a fifth missile was launched in this salvo, but it appears to be failed shortly after launch.	[7][11][12][13]

North Korea may also test Hwasong-9 in 2006, 2009, and 2014, but due to the similarities between their Scud variants, it is difficult to confirm the exact missile used for each launch.^[2]

Notes

1. Also known as Scud-ER (Scud Extended Range) and KN-04 (United States’s designation).^[2][3]