Hwasong-20
| Hwasong-20 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intercontinental ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | Under development |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2025 |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | Nuclear warhead MIRV-capable |
| Engine | Solid-fueled engine 1,960–1,971 kN (199.9–201.0 tf) |
Operational range | 15,000 km (9,300 mi) (estimated) |
Guidance system | Inertial guidance system |
Launch platform | 11-axle TEL |
The Hwasong-20[a] (Korean: 《화성포-20》형; lit. Mars Artillery Type 20) is a North Korean solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). First revealed in September 2025 at a press report, Hwasong-20 is considered by North Korea as "the most powerful nuclear strategic weapon". Its first appearance was on 10 October 2025, during a military parade.
Description
| Images of the Hwasong-20 | |
|---|---|
| Image of the missile in the 2025 parade |
The Hwasong-20 is officially described as a "next-generation" ICBM.[2] According to information and photos from North Korean state media, the Hwasong-20 will use the same 1,960 kN (200 tf)-thrust engine and 11-axle TEL as Hwasong-19.[3][4] The engine, which is manufactured using carbon fiber composite,[5] has about 40 percent more thrust than the Hwasong-18.[6]
A three-stage, solid-fueled missile,[7] Hwasong-20's estimated range is 15,000 km (9,300 mi),[8] meaning it can theoretically reach all territories of the United States.[9] It also features a blunt warhead,[10] suggesting the missile is MIRV-capable.[8] It uses an advanced guidance system, using inertial guidance system (INS) combined with GPS or optical sensors to increase accuracy,[11] with an estimated circular error probable of 3–5 km (1.9–3.1 mi).[12]
History
North Korea first mentioned Hwasong-20 on 2 September 2025 at a press report.[3][13] According to North Korean state media, between 2023 and 2 September 2025, the Hwasong-20's engine underwent eight static firing tests.[2]
On 8 September 2025, the Missile Administration and a chemical materials research center jointly conducted the ninth and last ground test of Hwasong-20's engine, suggesting the launch of Hwasong-20 may take place soon. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test.[14][15] North Korean state media claimed the engine to produce a thrust of 1,971 kN (201.0 tf).[16]
Hwasong-20 debuted on 10 October 2025, during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.[4] In this parade, North Korea called Hwasong-20 as "the most powerful nuclear strategic weapon".[17] It is possible that these missiles were mock-ups, as North Korea's MIRV technology has not been verified.[12]
After the 10 October 2025 military parade, it was revealed that the Hwasong-20 was displayed during the "Defense Development-2025" military exhibition, held on 5 October 2025. Originally, the missile and its associated TEL were assessed to be Hwasong-19.[13]
See also
Notes
References
- ^ "Military Parade Marks 80th Founding Anniversary of WPK". Korean Central News Agency. 11 October 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
The spectators broke into the most enthusiastic cheers when the column of Hwasongpho-20 ICBMs, the most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system of the DPRK, entered the square, filling the track.
- ^ a b "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Learns about Composite Carbon Fiber Material Production Process and Production of High-thrust Missile Engine". Korean Central News Agency. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ a b Zwirko, Colin (2 September 2025). "North Korea announces new Hwasong-20 nuclear missile as Kim arrives in China". NK News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ a b Lee, Minji (11 October 2025). "(News Focus) N. Korea flaunts missile strength with Hwasong-20 ICBM". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ Văn Phong (2 September 2025). "Triều Tiên chế tạo động cơ bằng vật liệu sợi carbon composite cho ICBM thế hệ mới" [North Korea builds carbon fiber composite engine for new generation ICBM]. Báo Bảo vệ Pháp luật (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ Đức Hoàng (10 September 2025). "Triều Tiên có bước ngoặt trong chương trình phát triển tên lửa?" [North Korea has a turning point in missile development program?]. Báo Dân trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "Kho tên lửa Triều Tiên: từ Hwasong-20 đến KN-25" [North Korea's missile arsenal: from Hwasong-20 to KN-25]. Báo Nghệ An (in Vietnamese). Báo và phát thanh, truyền hình Nghệ An. 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
- ^ a b Đào Cảnh (15 September 2025). "Tên lửa Hwasong-20 tầm bắn 15.000km, công nghệ MIRV, thay đổi cuộc chơi quân sự toàn cầu" [Hwasong-20 missile with range of 15,000km, MIRV technology, changing the global military game]. VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ Park, Chan-kyong (11 October 2025). "North Korea unveils 'most powerful nuclear strategic weapon' capable of reaching all of US". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "[News Today] 'Hwasong-20' ICBM features a blunt warhead". KBS News. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ^ Đào Cảnh (11 October 2025). "Tên lửa Hwasong-20 AI tầm bắn 15.000km, công nghệ hạt nhân đỉnh cao, 'thay đổi quân sự toàn cầu'" [Hwasong-20 missile with AI technology, 15,000 km range, advanced nuclear technology, 'changing global military']. VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b Thu Thủy (11 October 2025). "Giải mã tên lửa đạn đạo liên lục địa mới Hwasong-20 Triều Tiên ra mắt trong lễ duyệt binh" [Decoding North Korea's new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile unveiled at military parade]. VietTimes (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b Vann H. Van Diepen (4 November 2025). "It Is Autumn in North Korea, and the Missiles Are Changing. Are They Past Peak?". 38 North. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Park, Boram (9 September 2025). "(LEAD) N. Korea's Kim oversees test of high-thrust, solid-fuel carbon fiber missile engine: KCNA". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (9 September 2025). "North Korea conducts engine test for new long-range nuclear missile". NK News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "North Korea's Kim heralds new ICBM rocket engine test as 'significant'". Al Jazeera. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ Kim, Soo-yeon (11 October 2025). "N. Korea rolls out new Hwasong-20 ICBM at military parade to mark party anniv". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 11 October 2025.