North Korea Receives New Version of 600 mm KN-25 MLRS — What Is It Capable Of?

The North Korean army has received a large batch of 50 new 600 mm multiple launch rocket systems based on the KN-25, whose missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads.

This was reported by NK News.

According to the publication, the combat vehicles were lined up for a solemn ceremony in front of the House of Culture in Pyongyang, where the long-awaited Ninth Party Congress is due to begin in the coming days.

During his speech, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said that the 600 mm multiple rocket launcher “perfectly combines the accuracy and destructive power of tactical ballistic missiles with the firing speed of multiple rocket launchers.”

“It uses AI technology and a combined guidance system” and is designed for “strategic,” i.e., nuclear, strikes,” he said.

Sam Lair, an analyst with the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) Open Source Group, told NK News that the upgraded 600 mm MLRS guidance system is unlikely to contain artificial intelligence elements, and that the mention of AI probably refers to traditional computer support systems.

Ankit Panda, senior research associate for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s nuclear policy program, suggested that Kim may have been referring to the use of artificial intelligence technologies in the manufacturing process.

The DPRK leader also said that the deployment of these weapons would serve as a ‘deterrent’ against unnamed adversaries.

It is noted that these launchers were already used during a test launch at the end of January.

During the tests, four missiles were launched, hitting a target at a distance of 358.5 km.

The systems are manufactured at the March 16 Factory in Pyeongson, north of the capital. The 600 mm rockets are manufactured at the Kanghe Tractor Factory.

In general, the new launchers are a modernized version of the KN-25 system.

The KN-25 rocket system is distinguished by its unique caliber of 600 mm and a rocket length of about 8 meters.

The weight of one rocket is estimated at almost 3 tons.

Thanks to these dimensions, it is actually the largest in its class in the world, and its characteristics bring the KN-25 closer to operational-tactical missile systems.