North Korea has tested a railway missile system. In the frames, you can see in detail the tests of the new weapons system.
North Korea reported that a pair of ballistic missiles that it recently tested were launched using a previously unknown railway system. The installation provides the North Koreans with a relatively cheap way to make the missiles less vulnerable to preemptive enemy strikes.
"The test was aimed at confirming the practical applicability of the railway mobile missile system, which was deployed for the first time for work," the Central Telegraph Agency reported.
Rocket launch
Image source: NORTH KOREAN STATE MEDIA
The tests were conducted in the province of Pyeongan-Namdo. The missiles flew 800 kilometers. They fell into the sea off the east coast of North Korea.
It is too early to judge in detail about the device and capabilities of the complex. Judging by the photo, it can be assumed that the launcher was placed on the basis of a freight car. Its side doors open during launch.
sharp highres image confirm my thought of doors on side allow venting.. pic.twitter.com/f5jZPfCeSm- Nathan J Hunt (@ISNJH) September 16, 2021
The tested missile seems to be a complex that the Americans call the KN-23. At least outwardly, the missile is similar to the one used for the Russian Iskander-M complex — one of the versions of the Iskander with two 9M723 quasi-ballistic missiles and a firing range (if you believe the media) of up to 500 kilometers.
These tests are only a small part of the DPRK's efforts to ensure its security. Recently, the tests of a long-range cruise missile attracted the attention of the whole world. The Academy of Defense Sciences of the DPRK held them on September 11 and 12. The missiles hit a target located at a range of about 1,500 kilometers.
Official photos of the tests of the new North Korean long-range cruise missile
Image source: KCNA
Most likely, we are talking about a subsonic" tomahawk-like " rocket. The launches were carried out using a mobile installation on an 8x8 automobile chassis.
The most significant event in this sense can be considered the recent presentation of the new Pukkykson-5 ballistic missile. This is a strategic submarine-based ballistic missile, which the DPRK itself called "the most powerful weapon in the world" (obviously, this is an exaggeration).
Anyway, North Korea has proven that it can launch ballistic missiles from submarines. Back in 2019, they presented a photo of the launch of Pukkykson-3 from a submarine. The rocket was launched from an underwater position and flew 450 kilometers.
The DPRK's progress in creating new submarines is also obvious. This is supported by the footage presented in 2019.