[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] Additional Test Launch of Missile Possible

North Korea conducted a test firing of a super-large multiple rocket launcher on the 29th, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 30th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The short-range ballistic missile presumed projectile launched by North Korea on the 29th has been confirmed to be a 'super-large multiple rocket launcher.' In this regard, experts predict that there is a high possibility of additional provocations involving short-range projectiles still under test development before actual deployment. If North Korea launches more missiles this month, it will set a record for the highest number of launches in a single month.

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, stated on the 30th, "The National Defense Science Institute conducted test firing with the purpose of reaffirming the tactical and technical characteristics of the super-large multiple rocket launcher being delivered to units of the Korean People's Army." North Korea released clear photos of rocket projectiles being launched from a tracked mobile launcher vehicle (TEL) equipped with six launch tubes. Since revealing the six-tube TEL last year, this is the first clear photo of projectiles being fired from these tubes in over eight months.

This marks the fourth time North Korea has launched projectiles this month, totaling nine launches. North Korea previously launched 10 projectiles in August last year, so if additional provocations occur, it will be the highest number of test launches in a single month. Military experts expect continuous test launches for development purposes, as test firings are inevitable to complete new weapons that have not yet been fully developed.

Recently, North Korea has been focusing on test launches of a set of four new weapons: the new tactical guided missile (tactical guided weapon, North Korean version of Iskander), the super-large multiple rocket launcher, the new large-caliber guided multiple rocket launcher, and the North Korean version of ATACMS. Military experts analyze that among these weapons, the new tactical guided missile and the super-large multiple rocket launcher have already been operationally deployed.

The 600mm-class super-large multiple rocket launcher launched by North Korea the day before operates as a multiple rocket launcher that bundles several launch tubes and fires multiple shells simultaneously at a target. The firing duration of the 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher has been decreasing. When North Korea launched the super-large multiple rocket launcher in September last year, the firing duration was reported as '19 minutes.' It was then shortened to '3 minutes' in October and '30 seconds' in November. The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 2nd that the firing duration of the super-large multiple rocket launcher is now 20 seconds. Analysts believe North Korea has already reduced the firing duration to enable surprise attack capabilities, completed operational deployment, and is conducting advanced training.

The issue remains whether test launches have been conducted for the new large-caliber guided multiple rocket launcher and the North Korean version of ATACMS, which have not yet been fully developed. North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un did not attend the launch site the day before. This is the first time this year that he has missed any of the four short-range projectile launch sites. Military experts interpret this as meaning that since the super-large multiple rocket launcher has been completed, there is no longer a need for his attendance. However, it is expected that he will likely attend test launches of missiles that have not yet been completed.

Professor Kim Dong-yeop of the Far East Institute at Gyeongnam University said, "The North Korean version of Iskander has been operationally deployed, and the super-large multiple rocket launcher is expected to be deployed soon," adding, "Additional test launches are inevitable to complete undeveloped new weapons."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.