Hwasong Ballistic Missile Series

Hwasong Ballistic Missile Series

Type: Ballistic Missile

Domain: land

Country of Origin: North Korea

Manufacturer: Korean Peoples Army Munitions Industry

First Deployed: 1985

Overview

The Hwasong series represents North Korea's strategic ballistic missile program spanning from short-range tactical missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles. Key variants include the Hwasong-6 (SCUD-C derivative, ~500 km), Hwasong-10/12 (intermediate range, 3,000-4,500 km), Hwasong-14/15 (ICBM, theoretically reaching continental US), and the solid-fueled Hwasong-18 (rapid launch ICBM). The program represents North Korea's primary deterrence and coercive capability, with demonstrated nuclear warhead miniaturization for smaller variants.

Technical Specifications

warheadConventional or nuclear
guidanceInertial with GPS (claimed on newer variants)
variantsHwasong-5 through Hwasong-18+
range_max13,000+ km (Hwasong-17/18 ICBM)
range_min300 km (Hwasong-5)
propellantLiquid (most) / Solid (Hwasong-18)

Operators

Related land Weapon Systems