North Korea wants to significantly upgrade its army this year. A new multiple rocket launcher and grenades should be the most important thing. Experts fear this could also serve to supply North Korean weapons to Russia.
Ruler Kim Jong Un inspected a test of the “technically modernized” missile system on Friday, state news agency KCNA reported on Saturday. A “major change” is underway in terms of increasing the army’s artillery combat capabilities. However, the South Korean Defense Ministry was initially unable to confirm the tests.
President Kim discussed ways to increase production of the new rocket launcher system and grenades to “the highest level,” KCNA reported. Accordingly, the new rocket launcher should be delivered to army units by 2026 and replace old systems. Published photos showed Kim speaking to military representatives while inspecting the launch vehicle and during a suspected missile test.
Pyongyang said the test hit eight targets “with pinpoint accuracy” to demonstrate “the advantage and destructive power of the modernized 240-millimeter rocket launcher system.” The tests also demonstrated the performance of the “steerable projectiles”.
Big new multiple rocket launcher
North Korea had already emphasized the importance of the new multiple rocket launcher for a “strategic change” during a test at the end of April. Kim previously oversaw a nuclear counterattack, according to state media.
The tests came just weeks after monitoring of international sanctions against North Korea was suspended. In March, Russia used a veto in the UN Security Council to prevent an extension of the mandate of the responsible United Nations panel of experts. The panel reviewed reports that North Korea is widely supplying Russia with weapons for its war against Ukraine.
Pyongyang ready for arms exports
Experts suspect that the renewed tests and increased production of artillery and missile systems will also benefit North Korean arms supplies to Russia. According to Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, Pyongyang is “signaling its willingness to engage in arms exports and other economic activities in the defense sector through continuous technological innovations.” In connection with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, North Korea is also “indirectly testing the effectiveness of its existing weapons” by supplying weapons to Russia.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia and North Korea have intensified their relations with each other. The relationship with South Korea, on the other hand, is at a low point. Kim declared the neighboring country his “main enemy” in January. He announced that he would expand weapons development, including tactical nuclear weapons.
Source: Krone
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