April 3, 2024
2 mins read

North Korea Demonstrates Growing Threat with Hypersonic Technology

Kim described the Hwasong-16 missile as a “powerful, strategic offensive weapon”…reports Asian Lite News

North Korea on Wednesday claimed it has successfully test-fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) tipped with a hypersonic warhead, saying that all missiles the country has developed are now solid-fuel and nuclear-capable with warhead control capability.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guided the testing of the Hwasong-16 missile on Tuesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The latest launch came about three months after North Korea test-fired an intermediate-range hypersonic missile on January 14. Last month, North Korea conducted a ground jet test of a solid-fuel engine for a new IRBM loaded with a hypersonic warhead, Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim described the Hwasong-16 missile as a “powerful, strategic offensive weapon”.

He said the country has perfected the project for “putting all the tactical, operational and strategic missiles with various ranges on solid-fueled, warhead-controlled and nuclear warhead-carrying basis”, according to the KCNA.

A hypersonic missile is usually hard to intercept with existing missile defence shields. It travels at a speed of at least Mach 5 — five times the speed of sound — and is designed to be manoeuvrable on unpredictable flight paths and fly at low altitudes.

The KCNA said during Tuesday’s test, the hypersonic glide warhead reached its first peak at a height of 101.1 km and the second at 72.3 km while making a 1,000-km-long flight as planned to accurately hit waters in the East Sea.

Citing military confrontational acts and war drills by North Korea’s enemies, Kim said, “It is the most urgent task at present for our state to develop the overwhelming power capable of containing and controlling the enemies.”

North Korea has been ramping up weapons tests this year, including the launches of cruise missiles from sea and land and firing drills involving super-large multiple rocket launchers.

The South Korean military is closely monitoring North Korea’s preparations for further possible provocations ahead of the April 10 parliamentary elections in South Korea and major political events in Pyongyang this month.

North Korea will celebrate the birthday of late founder Kim Il-sung on April 15 and mark the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army on April 25.

ALSO READ-Jaishankar Tours National Museum of South Korea in Seoul

Previous Story

US President Calls WCK Workers’ Deaths in Gaza ‘Tragedy

Next Story

Corruption Scandal Rocks Walton Airport Sale

Latest from -Top News

Trump-Putin bhai, bhai

The closer Trump and Putin get Britain, France and other Western countries which, since the end of the Second World War, have seen America as an ally, will have to rethink their

Mali embraces solar power for rural areas  

The border village of Karan and its 3,000 people used to go days without electricity. Now, enough power is available around the clock to run small video gaming centers and boost commercial

British exports shine in African infrastructure 

Established 18 years ago, Dints is a London-based project integrator that specialises in connecting buyers, suppliers, logistics providers, and funding partners  A significant partnership between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and British firm
Go toTop