New mobile intercontinental and hypersonic missiles, tanks, self-propelled guns and drones rode through the streets of the DPRK capital.
Hwasong-20 intercontinental missiles, Hwasong-16B hypersonic missiles, new tanks, self-propelled artillery installations and drones — these combat systems were shown at a grand military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea. It took place on the night of October 10-11 in the capital of the DPRK, Pyongyang. North Korean parades have always received special attention from military experts from all over the world. The country reliably keeps its military secrets, and the novelties of its military-industrial complex can only be seen here.
Under the song "To Serve Russia"
Parade crews of all branches of the Korean People's Army, naval, air force, strategic missile forces and air defense marched in Pyongyang. Border guards, special forces and marines also demonstrated their skills.
The Korean army units that took part in the liberation of the Kursk region of Russia marched in a separate "box". The fighters marched through the square with the flags of Russia and the DPRK to the music of the song "Serve Russia." They were warmly welcomed by North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un and a delegation of distinguished guests from Russia led by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev.
Chairman of the United Russia Party, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev (foreground right), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam (second from right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (second from left) during a military parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Ekaterina Shtukina
The parade was attended by delegations from Vietnam, led by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party To Lam, from China, led by Premier Li Qiang, as well as representatives of other countries.
Kim Jong-un's rocket innovations
Traditionally, the military parade in Pyongyang has become a demonstration of the latest weapons and military equipment of North Korea. The main sensation was the display of the latest mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) "Hwasong-20".
Its transport and launch container is carried by an eleven-axle automobile conveyor. Apparently, it was demonstrated earlier at the Self-Defense 2025 exhibition in Pyongyang.
Presumably, the new ICBM has a mass of about 80 tons — it is a solid-fuel three-stage missile equipped with a separable warhead with individually guided warheads.
Just a few weeks ago, North Korea tested a new engine, probably designed specifically for the Hwasong-20. The estimated range can be at least 15,000 km, which makes it possible to strike almost anywhere in the United States. Its creation is a continuation of work on the development of mobile solid—fuel intercontinental missiles of North Korea.
Photo: REUTERS/KCNA
Image source: iz.ru
The Hwasong-18 ICBM on a nine—axle conveyor launcher was also shown. In terms of its capabilities, it is close to the Russian Topol-M rocket. It is estimated to have a range of up to 12,000 km.
The Hwasong-18 is likely already on combat duty as part of the North Korean strategic missile forces. They replaced heavier liquid-fueled missiles, which North Korea also made mobile.
On April 2, 2024, the first launch of the Hwasong-16B hypersonic missile was carried out, which also took place at the parade in Pyongyang. Its transport and launch container is mounted on a seven-axle machine. A solid-fuel rocket accelerates a hypersonic guided warhead, which then makes a gliding flight along the edge of the atmosphere to a range of up to 5,000 km.
Intercepting a maneuvering hypersonic unit is almost impossible with modern air defense and missile defense systems. Any target in Southeast Asia or the Pacific Ocean could be hit by such a missile system.
Another premiere of the parade is the newest complex with two hypersonic missiles with an estimated range of at least 1,000 km of the Hwasong-11mA type. This system has not yet been demonstrated in action, but it appears to be ready for testing and probably even for deployment.
Photo: REUTERS/KCNA
Image source: iz.ru
The self-propelled five-axis launcher has been used for several years for complexes with conventional Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles, but the munition has a more powerful upper stage and a hypersonic gliding warhead.
Tanks, self-propelled guns and drones
Of course, the front-line missile systems and multiple launch rocket systems created in the DPRK over the past decade were shown at the parade. Some of these combat systems took part in the combat work that units of the Korean People's Army performed on Russian soil.
The most interesting premiere of armored vehicles was the main tank "Chonma-3". In the West, the previous model of this combat vehicle is known as the M-2020. The Chongma-3 has new mounted armor, a 125-millimeter cannon, a remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun, two anti-tank missile launchers and additional armor on the sides and aft of the hull.
With some of its elements, the tank resembles the Russian Armata, but it traces its lineage back to the Soviet T-62. It is equipped with smoke screen grenade launchers and, possibly, some kind of prototype active protection system that allows you to shoot down attacking tank ATGMs on approach. The use of the new tank significantly changes the combat capabilities of the DPRK ground forces.
Photo: TASS/Ekaterina Shtukina
Image source: iz.ru
Another interesting novelty is the mobile kamikaze drone launcher. It is mounted on an armored vehicle chassis and is designed for six tactical-level drones with a range of up to 100 km or slightly more.
Each drone is equipped with a video surveillance system that allows for additional reconnaissance, detection and identification of the target. The closest analogue of such systems is the Russian Lancet drone. The North Korean model is made on an armored chassis and can be used directly on the front line.
An updated model of the 152 mm self-propelled artillery installation was also shown at the parade. It resembles the Russian self-propelled howitzer "Msta-S" — it is equipped with a volumetric rotary turret that protects the crew during combat work, and also allows you to store some ammunition. The ACS is protected by a machine gun and a system of grenade launchers for setting smoke screens.
In addition, the parade featured land-based military equipment, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, drones of various types and for different combat environments, as well as combat systems for the naval and air forces of the DPRK. This was a good demonstration of North Korea's readiness to repel any aggression, no matter where it came from.
Dmitry Kornev
