Hwasong-5

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Hwasong-5
TypeSRBM
Service history
In service1987
Used byNorth Korea
Iran
Production history
Manufacturer North Korea
Specifications
WarheadConventional high-explosive fragmentation or cluster warhead
Warhead weight1000 kg[1]

EngineLiquid fuel[1]
Operational
range
300 km[1]
Accuracy450 m. CEP[2]
TransportTransporter erector launcher[1]

The Hwasong-5 (Korean화성 5; Hanja火星 5; lit. Mars 5)[3] is a North Korean short range ballistic missile (SRBM)[2] derived from the Soviet R-17 Elbrus missile.[4] It is one of several missiles with the NATO reporting name Scud-B.[1]

History[edit]

North Korea received rocket artillery, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and anti-ship missiles from the Soviet Union in the 1960s and then from China in the 1970s.[5] The range and accuracy of the 2K6 Luna were unsatisfactory, but the Soviets refused to supply ballistic missiles to limit tensions in Korea.[4] North Korea sought a domestic missile production capability by 1965, and began making military and industrial preparations shortly afterward.[5] A joint development program with China of the DF-61 missile began in 1977, but was cancelled in 1978 due to Chinese domestic politics.[6] North Korea finally received R-17s from Egypt in the late-1970s or early-1980s; North Korea supported Egypt during the Yom Kippur War and the countries had friendly relations.[7][4]

The R-17s were reverse engineered to develop multiple derivatives starting with the Hwasong-5.[4] The Hwasong-5 may have slightly better range than the R-17 due to improved engines.[8] There were up to six test launches from April to September 1984 with three successes.[8][1] The missile entered production in 1985. Serial production began in 1986 and it entered North Korean service in 1987.[1]

Hwasong-series missiles are reportedly manufactured by the No. 125 Factory in Pyongyang.[9]

Export[edit]

Iran used the Hwasong-5 during the War of the Cities, with eight launch failures; North Korea received operational data. Iran first requested missiles from North Korea in 1985, and a 1985 cooperation agreement between the countries may have included Iranian funds for ballistic missile development.[8]

The United Arab Emirates purchased Hwasong-5 missiles in 1989.[10] The missiles were decommissioned, allegedly due to unsatisfactory quality[11]

A missile technology transfer from North Korea to Myanmar in the late-2000s may have included the Hwasong-5.[12]

Variants[edit]

Hwasong-5
"KN-21"
Variant with terminal maneuverability and tested on August 26, 2017.[13] Not seen after August 2017 and likely abandoned. KN-21 is the U.S. designation.[14][15]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Center for Energy and Security Studies & The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2021, p. 48.
  2. ^ a b Center for Energy and Security Studies & The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2021, p. 46.
  3. ^ Center for Energy and Security Studies & The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2021, p. 45.
  4. ^ a b c d Center for Energy and Security Studies & The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2021, p. 47.
  5. ^ a b Pinkston 2008, p. 14.
  6. ^ Pinkston 2008, pp. 14–15.
  7. ^ Pinkston 2008, pp. 15–16.
  8. ^ a b c Pinkston 2008, p. 16.
  9. ^ Pinkston 2008, p. 45.
  10. ^ Ramani, Samuel. "Why Did the UAE Purchase Weapons From North Korea?". Thediplomat.com. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  11. ^ United States, Congress. House. Committee on International Relations (2000). U.S. Policy Toward North Korea: Hearing Before the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, Part 2. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 91–92. ISBN 9780160607646.
  12. ^ Murdoch, Lindsay (February 6, 2018). "Fears Myanmar buying missiles from North Korea raise Canberra's alarm". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020.
  13. ^ Panda, Ankit. "Introducing the KN21, North Korea's New Take on Its Oldest Ballistic Missile". Thediplomat.com. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  14. ^ North Korea’s New Short-Range Missiles: A Technical Evaluation. 38 North. 9 October 2019.
  15. ^ KN-21. Missile Defense Advocacy.

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]