North Korea: Kim’s new missile could be a three-stage weapon

AAt a nightly military parade, Kim Jong-un demonstrated a much larger ICBM in an entirely new transport vehicle. The conveyor has eleven instead of eight shafts and looks different from all the models previously shown in China or Russia. It is most likely an internal development, at least as a prototype.

The missile itself is significantly longer than the Hwasong-15 ICBM that was shown and tested three years ago. It could be a three-stage weapon, with a third stage warhead that appears to be airship. This is suggested by the many outlets for small propellant charges.

The shape suggests it could offer enough space for multiple warheads, similar to US, Russian and Chinese multiple missiles. It remains to be seen whether it is a show or actually available technology. It is also unclear whether the weapon is provided with liquid or solid propellant. From the outside, of course, it looks like a further development of the liquid-powered Hwasong-15.

In addition to this rocket, Kim showed off the “Polarstern 4” solid submarine rocket, a much larger version of the “Polarstern 1” introduced three years ago. The “Polarstern 4” was demonstrated on a heavy articulated truck trailer, which in 2017 was still carrying a starter boat for an ICBM that has not been seen since.

In addition to these missiles, Kim introduced a host of new or improved conventional weapons and equipment. The heavy 60 cm rocket launcher tested last year was presented in four versions with different carriers, partially developed recently.

Rifles, as known from western elite units

A completely new battle tank, which was shown for the first time and which outwardly resembles the American tank “Abrams” or the Russian “Armata”, attracted attention, as did a possible new anti-aircraft missile in very long launch boats. This rocket was accompanied by a modern portable radar that moved on the same type of heavy semi-trailer truck as the “Polarstern 4”.

The US weapons experts, who commented on the events in a live broadcast on the North Korean website “NKNews”, considered the completely secret development of this anti-aircraft missile, radar and new main battle tank a very remarkable fact. In addition, the commando soldiers had new helmets, new protective vests, headphones and microphones. Their rifles now carried all the known equipment of western elite units.

In a speech at the beginning of the parade, Kim did not mention Donald Trump. However, he said North Korea could adequately respond to any external threat regardless of side. “Compared to the parade that marked the 70th anniversary of the party’s founding just five years ago, the modernization of our military has made remarkable progress. Anyone can get an idea of ​​the pace of this development ”. This was mainly due to Trump, who in summit meetings with Kim had always insisted on North Korea’s unilateral arms stoppage and the abolition of North Korean missiles and weapons of mass destruction.

What was unusual about Kim’s appearance was that he apologized for the difficult living conditions in North Korea. He was ashamed that he could not adequately return the enormous confidence of the population, said Kim, who seemed shaken at times. “My efforts and dedication weren’t enough to lift our people out of their difficult living conditions,” he said in a video shown on state television. He blamed international sanctions, hurricanes and the coronavirus for the problems. He claimed that no one in North Korea contracted the disease.

Kim was the only one with a mask on his marble lectern. The estimated hundred thousand soldiers and spectators in Pyongyang’s central square and in the stands below the lectern stood tightly without masks and shouted with all their hearts. It was the biggest potential super broadcaster event in recent weeks, possibly excluding Donald Trump’s election rallies.

Unusual camera work

Kim clearly wanted to draw a line with the parade and look forward. The renovation of the stand with the lectern in recent weeks also served this purpose. The Politburo parade booth now has the same Las Vegas flair with marble columns, gold jewelry and ornaments that Kim Jong-un prefers at his official residence.

The show, which took place at night for the first time, differed from previous Kim Jong-un shows due to its unusual camera work. For the first time, remote-controlled cameras were used on a small chassis to film underneath the vehicles passing or driving in front of them during the parade. For the first time, the military planes that flew over the parade also carried cameras and filmed Pyongyang at night and the emission of flares from the planes.