North Korea Tests HIMARS-Style Multiple Rocket Launcher System

North Korea has tested a locally developed analogue of the US HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.

This was reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The firings were conducted under the guidance of the Missile General Bureau and the Academy of Defence Sciences of North Korea.

The official statement said a lightweight multipurpose missile launch system was used in the tests.

In general, the tests included launches of 240 mm missiles, which, according to the agency, incorporated elements of artificial intelligence and had a range of over 100 km.

In addition, a ballistic missile was demonstrated that visually resembles the US ATACMS.

It was noted that the North Korean version of HIMARS has two launch positions for different missile modules mounted on a single vehicle.

During the tests, one launcher fired missiles from a nine-tube pod, while the other launched a ballistic missile from a second module.

The system was first publicly revealed in October 2025, during celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

Over the past two years, much of North Korea’s new military equipment has visually and conceptually imitated systems developed in the United States and Europe, including analogues of US Stryker armored personnel carriers in the form of a self-propelled mortar and a wheeled tank.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that North Korea tested an improved version of the 600 mm MLRS known as KN-25.

During those tests, four missiles were launched, striking a target at a distance of 358.5 km from the launch site.