Kim Jong-un observed the testing of ultra-large rocket launchers.

North Korea has tested multiple launch rocket systems capable of carrying nuclear weapons. In South Korea, I believe that these exercises could be a way for Pyongyang to demonstrate its latest missiles to Russia for further sale.

Bloomberg writes that on Monday, March 18, North Korea tested “ultra-large multiple launch rocket systems” during exercises designed to prove “the power and real combat capabilities of the weapon system.”

It is noted that the 600-mm missiles were fired in salvo from six launchers. Weapons experts say the missiles were most likely KN-25 short-range ballistic missiles, from the same family of weapons Kim sent to Russia for its war against Ukraine.

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik said it was unclear whether the exercise was aimed at strengthening Pyongyang’s forward forces or practicing how the Kremlin could use missiles to attack Ukraine.

“There is a high probability that these are final tests before export to Russia,” Shin said.

In photographs published in state media, North Korea showed six missiles launched at the same time. South Korea and Japan recorded two launches about 40 minutes apart, with Tokyo saying it saw three missiles and Seoul saying more than six missiles were fired, which may indicate the difficulty of tracking these missiles.

Shin Jung-woo, a researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum think tank, said it is difficult to accurately detect all missiles using radar when they are flying so close.

North Korea sells weapons to Russia – main news

The United States, South Korea and other countries have accused North Korea of ​​sending Russia advanced nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that are easy to hide, quick to deploy and difficult to shoot down.

Based on images provided by the US, it appears to be the Hwasong-11, a broad class of short-range ballistic missiles that can reliably hit targets with a high degree of accuracy. These missiles have a flight range of 380 to 800 kilometers. KN-25 belongs to this class. The missile has a range of about 380 kilometers and was first tested in 2019.

In March, the Kharkov prosecutor’s office said that since the invasion began, Russian troops had fired North Korean missiles at Ukraine about 50 times, providing documents for Hwasong-11 missiles.

South Korean Defense Minister Shin said North Korea sent about 7,000 weapons containers that could hold about 3 million 152mm rounds.

In return, Russia supplies North Korea with food, raw materials and parts used in the production of weapons. According to the South Korean minister, food aid helped Kim stabilize prices for essential goods. If arms supplies increase, Russia will likely send Kim even more military technology, increasing Pyongyang’s threat to the region, he added.

The artillery alone is likely worth several billion dollars, and Russian aid could be the biggest boost to North Korea’s economy since Kim took power. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the arms transfer allegations, despite scores of satellite photos released by research groups and the US government that show weapons flowing from North Korea to Russia and then to ammunition dumps near the Ukrainian border.

The Hwasong-11 missiles cost about $5 million apiece, according to data compiled by the Korea Institute of Defense Analyzes and published in 2022. But Kim has since increased production volumes, likely driving down their costs.