North Korea launches mysterious missile similar to Russia's Iskander
North Korea for the first time publicly displayed a weapon similar to Russia's Iskander tactical ballistic missile during a military parade in Pyongyang.
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New type of missile appeared in North Korea's military parade. Photo:Twitter. |
North Korea on February 8 deployed many modern vehicles and equipment in the parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of its army. In addition to the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), North Korea also brought to the parade a missile model that looks identical to the 9K720 Iskander complex developed by Russia.Sputnikreport
Images from the parade showed a series of light transporter-launchers (TELs), each carrying two missiles in a compartment with protective covers that open to the sides. This is one of the most easily identifiable features of the Russian Iskander complex.
"This missile is very similar to the Iskander and has never appeared in North Korea," said expert Justin Bronk of the British Military Institute. However, some others believe that this is a copy of the South Korean Hyunmoo-2 series, due to many similarities with the Russian Iskander model.
It is not yet clear whether North Korea's new missile is based on a Russian or South Korean system, or how Pyongyang manufactured the weapon. However, analysts say the appearance of the new missile will further push the US and its allies to increase pressure to denuclearize the Korean peninsula.
