Tag: MLRS

The defense industry continues to be a major growth sector for the South Korean economy:

South Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace Co. is expected to export an additional batch of Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Poland, a deal estimated at around 2.2 trillion won (US$1.6 billion), multiple sources said Tuesday. 

A Polish delegation, led by Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Bejda, plans to observe a test-firing of the K239 Chunmoo MLRS at the state-run Agency for Defense Development’s Anheung testing site in Taean, 109 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Wednesday. 

A successful test of the system, modified to fit a Polish military vehicle, is expected to lead to a deal, sources familiar with the issue said. 

As Poland committed to buying 288 units of the Chunmoo and signed a contract to purchase 218 units in November 2022, the anticipated deal is likely to cover the remaining 70 units, they noted.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

North Korea’s war on the fish of the East Sea continues:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has guided firing drills involving super-large multiple rocket launchers and called for perfecting readiness to collapse the capital of the enemy with the “core striking means,” state media said Tuesday.

On the previous day, Kim oversaw the “salvo” drills of artillery units in the country’s western region using the 600mm multiple launch rocket system, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The South Korean military said Monday it detected the firing of multiple short-range ballistic missiles from areas near Pyongyang and they flew about 300 kilometers toward the East Sea. Experts said they might be the KN-25 super-large multiple rocket launcher.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

This is all part of North Korea’s pressure campaign leading up to their January 1st deadline to have sanctions dropped:

North Korea said Friday it has successfully conducted the final test of a new super-large multiple rocket launcher with the firing of two projectiles that landed in the East Sea the previous afternoon. 

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the test-fire of a super-large multiple rocket launcher, conducted by the Academy of National Defense Science, the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday. “The volley test-fire aimed to finally examine the combat application of the super-large multiple launch rocket system [MLRS] proved the military and technical superiority of the weapon system and its firm reliability,” KCNA said. “The Supreme Leader expressed great satisfaction over the results of the test-fire.” 

Joong Ang Ilbo

You can read more at the link.

I wonder what the current ROK government would consider to be provocative from Pyongyang?:

 South Korea’s spy agency said Monday it does not see North Korea’s firing of short-range projectiles last week as provocative as they appear to have been “ground-to-ground” weapons.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) delivered an initial analysis of the North’s projectiles fired into the sea off its east coast on Saturday in a briefing to Lee Hye-hoon, a representative of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, at the National Assembly. 
The NIS didn’t specify the type of the ground-to-ground projectiles, saying the analysis is still underway, according to Rep. Lee.
The spy agency said North Korea’s latest move suggests that it will not walk away from the negotiating table, the lawmaker told reporters following the briefing.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but the test of the MLRS I think was clearly a measured provocation. They sent a message that Seoul and the major US bases at Camp Humphreys and Osan Airbase can be targeted with their MLRS. This message is intended to remind US negotiators of the threat they pose and thus the need to be taken seriously.

They are starting small and as their impatience increases expect them to increase the range of the weapon system they test. Next up it makes since they would test one of their short range SCUD missile systems.

After being called a missile test, the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff is now saying it appears the North Koreans fired off “projectiles” that were probably from a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS):

North Korea fired a barrage of unidentified short-range projectiles into the East Sea on Saturday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, in apparent saber-rattling amid stalled nuclear talks with the United States.
The JCS had earlier said the North fired multiple short-range “missiles” but later revised the announcement to portray what were fired only as “projectiles.” The projectiles were fired from areas near the east coast town of Wonsan between 9:06 a.m. and 9:27 a.m., the JCS said.
The change suggests the firings could have involved multiple rocket launchers, not missiles. 
“What the North fired this time is not a ballistic missile,” a military officer said.
The projectiles flew about 70 kilometers to 200 kilometers, the JCS said, adding that South Korean and U.S. authorities are analyzing details of the projectiles and the intention behind the firings.
“Our military has been closely watching North Korea’s movements and has maintained a full-fledged posture in close coordination with the U.S.,” the JCS said.
Last month, North Korea test-fired what it called “the new tactical guided weapon,” which, according to Seoul authorities, appeared to be a guided weapon for ground combat.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but what is interesting about this test is that it was fired out of Wonsan which happens to be an area that Kim Jong-un wants developed into an international tourism area. Conducting military provocations out of Wonsan does not help create an image of international tourism for Wonsan, which makes me wonder if the Kim regime is cooling on this idea?

If this was an MLRS test, it was likely their new KN-09 system. The KN-09 has a range of 190 kilometers which means from frontline positions North Korea can target the US military’s main bases in Korea, Osan Airbase and Camp Humphreys. This test firing is likely a reminder to the Trump administration of the artillery capability the North Koreans possess to target US troops in South Korea in hopes of pressuring them to agree to the “pretend denuclearization” deal they want.

North Korea seems to be sending a message that they are growing impatient waiting for the sanctions to be dropped:

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed the successful test of an unspecified “newly developed ultramodern tactical weapon,” state media reported Friday, in an apparent bid to apply pressure on the United States and South Korea.

It didn’t appear to be a test of a nuclear device or a long-range missile with the potential to target the U.S. A string of such tests last year had many fearing war before the North turned to engagement and diplomacy. Still, any mention of weapons testing could influence the direction of stalled diplomatic efforts spearheaded by Washington and aimed at ridding the North of its nuclear weapons.

The North hasn’t publicly tested any weapons since November 2017, but in recent days Pyongyang reportedly expressed anger at U.S.-led international sanctions and ongoing small-scale military drills between South Korea and the United States.

Earlier this month, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned it could bring back its policy of bolstering its nuclear arsenal if it doesn’t receive sanctions relief.

“It’s North Korea-style coercive diplomacy. North Korea is saying ‘If you don’t listen to us, you will face political burdens,'” said analyst Shin Beomchul of Seoul’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies.  [Reuters]

You can read more at the link, but of course the Moon administration in South Korea is playing down this weapons test:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the “successful” test of a “high-tech tactical weapon” at a national defense institute, state media reported early Friday (local time).

It marked the first such inspection by the leader following his viewing of an intercontinental ballistic missile launch in November 2017.

North Korea’s missile tests may get all the headlines, but here is what is even more deadly to South Korea is the new MLRS system they have fielded:

North Korea has deployed some 300 new multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) along its front line with South Korea, which can hit Seoul and surrounding areas, military sources said Sunday.

Local sources, citing intelligence findings, said Pyongyang has placed the 122 millimeter rocket launchers north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas.

These weapons systems have an estimated range of some 40 kilometers that can place large areas in and around the capital city within striking distance.

“The North has been deploying the new rocket launchers with regimental units along the DMZ since 2014,” said an official insider, who declined to be identified.

He said that there is a pressing need to counter such threats, adding that both Seoul and Washington have made joint threat assessments on these weapons systems.  [Yonhap]

You can read more at the link.

This photo from the North Korean daily Rodong Sinmun on March 4, 2016, shows a test fire of the country’s new multiple rocket launcher. The photo is believed to be from March 3, when the country fired six short-range projectiles toward the East Sea, apparently in a show of force against U.N. sanctions adopted a day earlier against it. The North’s top leader Kim ordered that the weapon be deployed in operation areas “so as not to allow the enemies to sleep in peace” and the nuclear warheads put on standby “so as to be fired any moment.” (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)