Pukguksong-4

Pukguksong-4
TypeSubmarine-launched ballistic missile
Place of origin North Korea
Production history
Designed2020
Manufacturer North Korea
No. built4 prototypes
Specifications
LengthAbout 10 m (33 ft)
WidthAbout 2 m (6.6 ft)
WarheadNuclear warhead
MIRV-capable (unconfirmed)
Propellantsolid fuel
Operational
range
3,500–5,400 km (2,200–3,400 mi) (estimated)
Launch
platform
submersible barge, submarine (planned)

The Pukguksong-4[a] (Korean: 북극성-4; lit. Polaris 4) is a North Korean two-stage, solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

It is a further development from Pukguksong-3.

Description

Pukguksong-4 is a two-stage, solid-fueled ballistic missile. It is significantly increased in size compared to the Pukguksong-3, with an estimated length and diameter of about 10 m and about 2 m, respectively.[3][4] Other sources claimed Pukguksong-4 to be shorter than Pukguksong-3.[5][6] It is likely designed to be fitted with Sinpo-C class submarine, which was being built in 2020, capable of carrying 3-4 SLBMs.[7][8][9][10]

Portions of the engine appears to be filament wound to make the missile lighter and allow for a greater range and payload.[11][12] Compared to previous missiles, Pukguksong-4 has a heavier payload.[13] The maximum range of Pukguksong-4 is estimated from 3,500 km (2,200 mi) with a 1,300 kg (2,900 lb) payload to 5,400 km (3,400 mi) with a 650 kg (1,430 lb) payload. It is alleged to be capable of carrying multiple warheads, but it remains to be unconfirmed.[14]

The missile is also claimed to be a silo-based missile and missing the second stage or stage seperation mechanism.[3][5]

History

Pukguksong-4 made its public debut in a military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea on 10 October 2020. According to German expert Norbert Brügge, it was seen with a Korean People's Army Ground Force escort.[3] Four Pukguksong-4 missiles were seen,[14] and these missiles were placed on trucks.[13] North Korea introduced Pukguksong-4 missiles as “underwater strategic ballistic missiles”.[14]

According to South Korean Chief of Naval Operations Boo Suk-jong, the name written in these missiles is Pukguksong-4S, not Pukguksong-4A, and the letter "ㅅ" (S) may stand for "submarine" or "underwater" (Korean: 수중; lit. underwater) or "on the water" (Korean: 수상; lit. water surface).[15]

A further development of Pukguksong-4, called Pukguksong-5, was displayed in 14 January 2021 during a military parade. Pukguksong-5, believed to be similar to Pukguksong-4, appears to be larger than its predecessor.[16]

List of tests

There have been no known test for Pukguksong-4 so far.

An alleged flight test was occurred on 19 October 2021. Initially, the missile used for the test-fire was supposed to be some types of SLBMs, including Pukguksong-4.[17] Later, the missile used in the 19 October 2021 launch was judged to be Hwasong-11S, an underwater-launched variant of Hwasong-11A (KN-23) missile.[18]

Notes

  1. ^ Also known as Pukguksong-4A (Korean: 북극성-4A; lit. Polaris 4A), Pukguksong-4S (Korean: 북극성-4ㅅ; lit. Polaris 4S), Pukguksong-4ㅅ (mixing Latin and Korean characters).[1][2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Oh Seok-min (15 October 2020). "N. Korea's new SLBM labeled 'Pukguksong-4ㅅ,' not 'Pukguksong-4A: Navy chief". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  2. ^ Hòa Bình (7 September 2021). "Mỹ-Hàn tuyên bố đang theo dõi chặt cuộc duyệt binh của quân đội Triều Tiên" [US and South Korea say they are closely monitoring North Korea's military parade]. Báo Giao Thông (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  3. ^ a b c Norbert Brügge. "Pukguksong-4 and -5". www.b14643.eu. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  4. ^ Tianran Xu (25 July 2022). "Emerging Capabilities? The Unflown SLBMs of the DPRK" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  5. ^ a b H. I. Sutton (15 October 2020). "North-Korea-Pukguksong-SLBM". H I Sutton - Covert Shores. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  6. ^ "North Korean nuclear weapons, 2024" (PDF). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  7. ^ Văn Khoa (14 October 2020). "Giải mã tên lửa mới của Triều Tiên" [Decoding North Korea's new missile]. Thanh Niên (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  8. ^ Muflika Nur Fuaddah (20 October 2020). "Temui 'Monster' Pukguksong-4 SLBM: Rudal Bahan Bakar Padat Misterius Baru Keluaran Korea Utara, Seperti Apa Kehebatannya?" [Meet the 'Monster' Pukguksong-4 SLBM: North Korea's Mysterious New Solid-Fuel Missile, What's So Amazing About It?]. Intisari (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  9. ^ Mark Episkopos (17 October 2020). "Pukguksong-4 SLBM: North Korea's Mysterious New Solid-Fueled Missile". Center for the National Interest. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  10. ^ "What North Korea's latest missile parade tells us, and what it doesn't". International Institute for Strategic Studies. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  11. ^ Vann H. Van Diepen; Michael Elleman (10 October 2020). "North Korea Unveils Two New Strategic Missiles in October 10 Parade". 38 North. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  12. ^ "What North Korea's latest missile parade tells us, and what it doesn't". International Institute for Strategic Studies. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  13. ^ a b "Confira os novos armamentos da Coreia Popular (vídeos e fotos)" [Check out the new weapons of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (videos and photos)]. Centro de Estudos da Política Songun – Brasil (in Portuguese). 25 October 2020. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  14. ^ a b c "S/2021/211" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  15. ^ "[2020 National Inspection]North Korean SLBM name is 'Pukkuksong-4Siot'". Asia Economy (in Korean). 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  16. ^ William Gallo (15 January 2021). "North Korea Shows Off New Submarine-Launched Missile at Military Parade". Voice of America. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  17. ^ Minh Hạnh (19 October 2021). "Triều Tiên phóng thử tên lửa đạn đạo từ tàu ngầm?" [North Korea test-launched ballistic missile from submarine?]. Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-01-25.
  18. ^ "The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 2025-01-25.