At the exhibition "Self-Defense-2021", North Korea demonstrated the innovations of its military-industrial complex. Among them is a tank visually similar to the Russian T-14 based on the ARMATA tracked platform. Another important novelty was the hWasong-8 hypersonic weapon system, tested in September.
Yesterday, the DPRK held the grand opening of the exhibition "Self-Defense- 2021". The main novelties of the military-industrial complex were presented at it. Among the exhibits is a new tank, which was nicknamed the "North Korean Armata" (some also noticed similarities with the American M1 Abrams).
One of the pictures on the background of the tank captured the leader of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un, who spoke at the opening of the exhibition, and also examined the weapons presented there.
The new tank was shown last year, during a military parade on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea. However, it is the new images that give the fullest possible idea of what a combat vehicle is. At least, if we talk about her appearance.
North Korea's new tank
Image Source: KCNA
An even more important novelty can be called the hypersonic complex "hWasong-8", which, as far as can be judged, was shown to us in more or less detail for the first time. Recall that in September it became known that Pyongyang conducted tests of a new hypersonic weapons system. As it was reported at the time, the tests took place at one of the landfills in the north of the DPRK.
"Hwaseong-8"
Image Source: KCNA
According to the data presented, the tests made it possible to confirm the maneuverability and stability of the rocket, as well as to analyze its planning characteristics. In addition, the DPRK military assessed the correctness of the engine and fuel system. The North Korean authorities did not say what distance the missile covered.
It is known that the hWasong-8 was developed by the Academy of Military Sciences of the DPRK. This system is part of a five-year plan aimed at developing strategic weapons. The fact that North Korea has been developing hypersonic weapons has been known for quite a long time: the authorities themselves have stated this.
Among other interesting novelties, one can single out the North Korean long-range cruise missile, the tests of which became known in September. Apparently, this is a subsonic "tomahawk-like" rocket, which is launched using a movable five-container installation.
North Korean long-range cruise missile
Image Source: KCNA
Such installations were shown last winter, however, the type of weapons they carried was different from the exhibit shown now. Experts do not exclude that then they presented only mock-ups of a new type of missiles.
