Description

On September 28, 2021, North Korea successfully fired and tested a newly developed hypersonic missile called Hwasong-8 off its east coast. The most recent launch is North Korea's third missile test in September 2021. According to state media reports, the Hwasong-8 missile launch was one of the "five most important" new weapon systems in North Korea's five-year military development plan.

The launch occurred at a time when North Korean envoy Kim Song, speaking at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 27, urged the US to abandon its "hostile policy" toward Pyongyang and defended his country's right to develop weapons. “North Korea was building up its national defense in order to defend itself and reliably safeguard the country's security and peace,” Kim stated at the UNGA.

According to state-run media, the Hwasong-8 hypersonic missile is a strategic weapon that will help the country increase its defense capabilities a thousandfold. As per the reports, the Hwasong-8 missile met its technical goals, including gliding flight characteristics and guiding maneuverability. The launch of the Hwasong-8 missile also saw the introduction of missile fuel ampoule for the first time by North Korea. This technology allows to pre-fuel the missiles before being deployed in the field, stated analysts.

The launch of Hwasong-8 was the third launch of Pyongyang in September 2021 which is indicative of Pyongyang’s steady weapons technology development amid strict US sanctions. It had previously tested a strategic cruise missile and two railway-borne ballistic missiles.

About hypersonic missile

Hypersonic missiles are one of the most recent next-generation warfare technologies developed by military powers such as the United States, Russia, China, and India. Unlike ballistic missiles, which return on steep trajectories after flying into outer space, hypersonic missiles fly directly to targets at lower altitudes and can achieve their targets more than five times the speed of sound which is approximately 6,200 km per hour (3,850 mph).

Russia announced the successful launch of its hypersonic missile in the White Sea in July 2021, with a speed of 8,659.88 km/h (5,381 mph). North Korea has joined the league of countries attempting to develop weapons with the launch of the Hwasong-8 hypersonic missile. The use of missile fuel ampoule technology in the Hwasong-8 missile would result in a faster launch because the missile would be pre-fueled and launch-ready before deployment.

According to reports, the Hwasong-8 hypersonic missile is still in the early stages of development and would require more time to be deployed in combat. Analysts believe that the US and South Korea are currently capable of detecting and intercepting the Hwasong-8 missile.

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