| Hwasong-11D | |
|---|---|
| Type | Short-range ballistic missile Tactical ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2022–present |
| Used by | Korean People's Army Strategic Force |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2022 |
| No. built | Over 250 launchers |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) (assumed) |
| Warhead | 250–500 kg (550–1,100 lb) Nuclear-capable |
| Engine | Solid-propelled |
Operational range | 100–300 km (62–186 mi) |
Guidance system | "Autonomous navigation system" |
Launch platform | 3-axleTEL |
TheHwasong-11D[a] (Korean: 《화성포-11라》형;lit. Mars Artillery Type 11D) is aNorth Korean single-stage, solid-fueledtactical ballistic missile. First unveiled in April 2022 with a flight test, Hwasong-11D is a smaller version ofHwasong-11A (KN-23), with a smaller size and a shorter range. Hwasong-11D is reported to be entered mass production.
| Images of the Hwasong-11D | |
|---|---|
 3-axle TEL | |
| Launch of the missile |
Hwasong-11D is the smaller variant of Hwasong-11A, with a shorter range and smaller size.[6][7] It has the same general structure as its baseline version andHwasong-11B.[8] It is also claimed to be the ground-based version of asubmarine-launched ballistic missile first tested on 19 October 2021,[9] later identified asHwasong-11S.[10] Its range, which is estimated to be 100–300 km (62–186 mi),[11] led Hwasong-11D to be classified as a close-range ballistic missile (CRBM).[12] It is smaller than the operational range of Hwasong-11A and similar to theHwasong-11 (KN-02). It is assessed that Hwasong-11D could be a counterpart to the South Korean'sKTSSM, especially the role. The launches were accompanied with a statement, associating them with the development oftactical nuclear weapons.[13] Hwasong-11D follows a near-ballistic trajectory, with approximately 50 km (31 mi) apogee. This low apogee, combined with its short flight time and terminal maneuverability, makes it difficult for traditionalmissile defense systems to detect and intercept. Moreover, the missile’s improved accuracy reduces the number of missiles required to attack the target. Also, Hwasong-11D can have better survivability againstmissile defenses if the missile is equipped with smaller and lighter tactical nuclear warheads and retaining the Hwasong-11A's maneuverability, thus allowing it to threaten shorter range targets.[14]
As a missile that was developed to "enhance the effectiveness of tactical nuclear operation", Hwasong-11D is claimed to be capable of carrying a 250–500 kg (550–1,100 lb) payload. The payload can be a conventional, high-explosive or chemical warhead. The missile can also be armed with theHwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead.[3][9][15]
Assuming a weight of 1,500 kg (3,300 lb), it is possible that Hwasong-11D can be carried byKorean People's Army Air Force'sHarbin H-5/Ilyushin Il-28 after necessary modifications.[16]
According to North Korea, the Hwasong-11D missile system, including the launcher, was personally designed byKim Jong Un as a "new pivotal attack weapon" of North Korean forces.[11][17] The launcher is a three-axle truck,[18] estimated to be 8.5 m (28 ft) long and 3 m (9.8 ft) wide.[19] Each basic-type launcher can deploy up to four Hwasong-11D missiles.[14]
During a military parade held on 10 October 2025, North Korea unveiled a modular three-axle launcher of Hwasong-11D.[20] AHIMARS-like vehicle,[21] it has two modules, each of which can carry a single Hwasong-11D missile, or 240 mmmultiple rocket launcher. However, it is unlikely that the Hwasong-11D missiles carried by the modular-type launcher are nuclear-armed.[22]
Hwasong-11D made its public debut on 16 April 2022, with a flight test. At the time of debut, the missile's official designation was unknown. Nine days later, on 25 April 2022, North Korea displayed Hwasong-11D during a military parade; however, North Korea also did not name the missile.[18][23]
Further test-fires of Hwasong-11D occurred on 2 November 2022 and on 9 March 2023.[10][24] Between these test-fires, North Korea displayed Hwasong-11D during a military parade on 8 February 2023.[25]
The missile’s official name was revealed in theKCNA's report on the new Hwasan-31 nuclear warhead in late March 2023.[26][27] Despite this, in its 2024 appearances, North Korea only described Hwasong-11D as "tactical ballistic missile" without mentioning official name directly.[28][29]
According to theInternational Institute for Strategic Studies, since 2022, Hwasong-11D has been test-fired at least nine times.[7]
| Attempt | Date (Pyongyang Standard Time) | Location | Number of missiles tested | Outcome | Additional notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 April 2022 | Hungnam,Hamhung,South Hamgyong Province | 2 | Success | Both missiles were test-fired with 21-minute interval between launches, flew for only 60 seconds and achieved 25 km (16 mi) apogee, 110 km (68 mi) range.Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch. It is the first appearance of Hwasong-11D, but North Korea called the missile as "new-type tactical guided weapon" without revealing its official designation in this test. | [9][10][23][30] |
| 2 | 2 November 2022 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | On 7 November 2022, North Korea released photos of missile launches from 2 to 5 November, including the images of a Hwasong-11D test fire occurred on 2 November 2022. A photo from the April 2022 test was reused to refer to the November test. North Korea also did not reveal the missile's official name. | [24][31] |
| 3 | 9 March 2023 | Taesong Lake,South Pyongan Province | 6 | Success | The launch was supervised by Kim Jong Un andhis daughter. Like the 2022 appearances, North Korea also did not reveal the missile's official name. It is possible that at the time of the launch, the missile had already received the official designation, but North Korea did not announce it. | [10][32][33] |
| 4 | 17 May 2024 | Wonsan | 1 (North Korea) "Several" (South Korea) | Success | Kim Jong Un supervised the launch. According to North Korean state media, the missile employed a new autonomous navigation system. North Korea did not name Hwasong-11D directly in this test. South Korean'sJoint Chiefs of Staff detected the launch of several Hwasong-11D missiles, at 3:10 p.m. (local time). These missiles flew 300 km (190 mi) before landing in waters between South Korea andJapan. | [28][34][35] |
According to member states of theUnited Nations Security Council, some of the eight ballistic missiles fired on 5 June 2022 could be the then-unnamed Hwasong-11D.[9]
At least 45 Hwasong-11D TELs were visible in theKCNA report of Kim Jong Un's inspection to an unnamed missile launcher factory on 8 and 9 January 2024. The report said that the factories had "deployed new weapon types and equipment to the first-line large combined units and major missile units", suggests that Hwasong-11D is operational.[36][37]
On 14 May 2024, Kim Jong Un visited another unnamed factory. Around 99 Hwasong-11D TELs were visible. Three days after the inspection, North Korea conducted another test-fire of Hwasong-11D.[14][38][39]
North Korea held a ceremony to send 250 Hwasong-11D launchers to the frontline military units at theInter-Korean border on 4 August 2024.[4][11][40][41]
북한 매체들이 공개한 사진을 보면 인도된 무기체계는 사거리가 110km 가량인 근거리 탄도미사일(CRBM) '화성-11-라'의 발사대인 것으로 추정됩니다. (Photos released by North Korean media suggest the delivered weapon system is believed to be a launcher for the Hwasong-11D close-range ballistic missile (CRBM), with a range of approximately 110 km.)
The DPRK has developed a small aero-ballistic missile referred to as the Hwasong-11Ra [Hwasong-11D]. Assuming that the Hwasong-11Ra has a weight comparable to that of its ROK counterpart, the KTSSM (1.5 tons), it may be possible for the Harbin H-5/Il-28 of the KPAF to carry at least one Hwasong-11Ra after necessary modifications [...]
The launchers are believed to be designed for Hwasong-11D short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) because they measure around 8.5 meters in length and 3 meters in width [...]
Photos show North Korea also unvelied a new three-axle missile launch vehicle with two interchangeable modules, which can each hold a single Hwasong-11D short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), a nine-tube 240mm MLRS or a shorter canister for 122mm rockets.
The Hwasong 11Ra, also designated Hwasong 11D, is a smaller variant of the Hwasong 11Ga (KN-23). It was first seen when fired on 16 April 2022.
新型小型短距離弾道ミサイルは火星砲の名称が与えられているようですが、型番はまだ発表されていません。 (The new small, short-range ballistic missile appears to receive the Hwasongpho designation, but the number has not yet been announced.)
