[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] Has North Korea Increased the Number of Mobile Launchers?

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] It is reported that North Korea has significantly increased the quantity of its mobile launchers (TELs) capable of transporting and launching new weapons by upgrading them. Experts on North Korea analyze that the number of TELs has roughly doubled compared to the 108 units confirmed by South Korea and U.S. intelligence agencies in 2017.

According to intelligence authorities on the 11th, North Korea has recently been conducting test launches to enhance the completeness of a set of four new weapons. The four new weapons include a new tactical guided missile (tactical guided weapon, North Korean version of Iskander), a new large-caliber guided multiple rocket launcher, the North Korean version of ATACMS, and a super-large multiple rocket launcher.

The North Korean version of ATACMS is launched from a tracked or wheeled TEL equipped with two launch tubes. It can hide in tunnels and forests, emerge into open areas to launch two rounds consecutively, and then quickly conceal itself again. If the interval between the two launches is 1 to 2 minutes, it is difficult for South Korean and U.S. military authorities to strike it with surface-to-surface missiles or precision-guided weapons. North Korea is likely to continue efforts to shorten the interval between consecutive shots in the future.

Development is also ongoing for TELs capable of carrying the new large-caliber guided multiple rocket launcher, the North Korean version of ATACMS, and the super-large multiple rocket launcher.

The U.S.-based North Korea specialist site 'Beyond Parallel' released a report last month titled "Sinri Ballistic Missile Support Facility," stating, "The building with a high ceiling is large enough to accommodate the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and all of North Korea's ballistic missiles," and explained that "it was constructed next to a large underground facility capable of easily housing all of North Korea's ballistic missiles, related launchers, and support vehicles." The report also mentioned the possibility that it will be used for maintenance or storage of all known or expected North Korean ballistic missiles, mobile launchers, and mobile erectors (TE).

Military experts emphasize that attention should be paid more to North Korea's TELs than to its threatening missiles. Unlike conventional missile bases, TELs are more threatening because they are not constrained by time or location. According to a joint report by South Korean and U.S. military authorities, North Korea is estimated to possess up to around 900 ballistic missiles and approximately 440 Scud missiles. North Korea holds 108 mobile launchers (TELs). By missile type, the number of Scud missiles and TELs capable of carrying Scud missiles is the highest. The number of Scud missiles is estimated at up to about 430 (36 TELs). Following are 27 Musudan missiles (27 TELs), about 330 Nodong missiles (27 TELs), about 100 KN-02 missiles (12 TELs), and a total of 12 KN-08 and KN-14 missiles (6 TELs).

There are three types of Scud missiles that North Korea can load onto and launch from TELs. The Scud B and C, with ranges of 300 to 700 km, are deployed to Scud brigades located 50 to 90 km north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The upgraded Scud-ER (with a maximum range of 1,000 km) was loaded onto a TEL in Hwangju on September 5, 2016, concealed in a tunnel built on a highway, and launched in a surprise attack. The upgraded Scud missiles appear to be deployed in rear areas, effectively placing all of South Korea within the range of the Scud missile series. Military experts believe that if North Korea simultaneously launches multiple Scud missiles loaded on TELs, interception by the U.S. Forces Korea's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) or Patriot (PAC-2/3) missile systems would be impossible. South Korea and the U.S. have identified that among North Korea's TELs, those capable of carrying Scud B and C are 12.5 meters long, while those capable of carrying Scud-ER are 12.7 meters long, making them the smallest TELs.

Shin Jong-woo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF), said, "At the point where the development of some new ballistic missiles such as the North Korean version of Iskander is completed, production of TELs will increase for operational deployment," adding, "There is also a possibility that two new types of TELs for solid-fueled ICBMs, which were revealed in past military parades but never launched, will be publicly displayed to demonstrate military power."

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