| Hwasong-6 | |
|---|---|
 Artist rendition of the missile | |
| Type | Short range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1992[1]−Present |
| Used by | Seeoperators |
| Wars | Yemeni civil war (2014–present) |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1990−2000?[2] |
| Variants | Seevariants |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 10.94 m (35.9 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | 88 cm (35 in)[1] |
| Maximum firing range | 500–550 km (310–340 mi)[1][2][3] |
| Warhead | HE,cluster munition[4] |
| Warhead weight | 700–770 kg (1,540–1,700 lb)[1] |
| Accuracy | 700–1,000 m (770–1,090 yd)CEP[1][5] |
Launch platform | MAZ-543TEL[2] |
TheHwasong-6 (Korean: 《화성-6》형;lit. Mars Type 6) is aNorth Koreantactical ballistic missile. It is derived from theHwasong-5, itself a derivative of theSovietR-17 Elbrus. It carries theNATO reporting nameScud.
Work on an extended-range version of the Hwasong-5 began around 1984,[1] and with only relatively minor modifications, a new type was produced from 1989, designated Hwasong-6 ("Scud Mod. C" or "Scud-C"). It was first tested in June 1990, and entered full-scale production the same year, or in 1991.[2] It is likely out of production.[1] The North Koreans would later use their acquired know-how to produce domestic copies of the Scud-B to create a larger missile, theHwasong-7.[3]
To increase range over its predecessor, the Hwasong-6 has its payload decreased to 770 kg (1,700 lb) and the length of the rocket body extended to increase the propellant by 25%; accuracy is 700–1,000 m (2,300–3,300 ft)circular error probability (CEP).[1][5] Such range is sufficient to strike targets as far away as western Japan. Its dimensions are identical to the original Hwasong-5. Due to difficulties in procuringMAZ-543TELs, mobile launchers were produced in North Korea. By 1999, North Korea was estimated to have produced 600 to 1,000 Hwasong-6 missiles, of which 25 had been launched in tests, 300 to 500 had been exported, and 300 to 600 were in service with theKorean People's Army.[6]
The Hwasong-6 is armed with a high-explosive (HE) fragmentation or cluster warhead,[4] but it's believed that it can also carry anuclear,chemical, orbiological warhead.[1]
Before the 2015Houthi takeover in Yemen, the country didn't have a domestic missile program, and had only a small stockpile of Soviet-made Scud-B and North Korean Hwasong-6 missiles bought in the 1980s and 1990s. These were used against thepro-Hadi forces in the summer of that year.[7][8] Since then, theHouthis have used domestically produced ballistic missiles with Iranian assistance.[7][9]
The Hwasong-6 was exported to Iran, where it is designated as theShahab-2, to Syria, where it is manufactured under licence with Chinese assistance[6] and to Yemen.[10]Myanmar also imported Hwasong-6 ballistic missiles in 2009.[11] About 25 Hwasong-6 ballistic missiles were purchased by Vietnam from North Korea in 1997.[12]In 1995, Libya purchased 5 Hwasong-6 missiles from North Korea, however they were never tested or deployed, and planned local production was cancelled in 2003 with thedisarmament of Libya.[12]
Egypt[2] − Reportedly purchased in 1996, unconfirmed[13]
Iran[2] − Produced locally as theShahab-2.[14] Status uncertain[15]
Myanmar − Reported[16]
North Korea − 30+ Hwasong 5/6 launchers as of 2024[17]
Syria[2] − Scud-C[18]
Vietnam − Scud-C[19]
Libya[12]
Yemen − Pre-war stocks depleted during theYemeni civil war (2014–present). Most were converted intoBurkan missiles by the Houthis[21]Whether the missiles visible are the 300-km-range Scud B or the longer-range Scud C is not clear from the available [satellite] imagery. The 500-km-range Scud C – which Egypt reportedly purchased from North Korea in 1996 – is externally similar to the B model.
