World’s Most Powerful Non-Nuclear Missile, Hyunmoo-V, to Enter Service This Year

South Korea plans to place the world’s most powerful non-nuclear missile system, the Hyunmoo-V, on combat duty by the end of this year.
Defence Blog reported the announcement, citing the country’s Minister of Defense.

According to the Minister, the Hyunmoo-V is currently being integrated into the Armed Forces. He stated that a simultaneous launch of 15 to 20 such missiles could cause destruction comparable to, or even greater than, that of tactical nuclear weapons.

He added that the government plans to further extend the range and payload capacity of missile systems as part of its strategic deterrence strategy.

South Korea reportedly intends to acquire about 200 of these missiles. The Hyunmoo-V systems are also expected to be deployed on the future Joint Strike Ship being developed by Hanwha Ocean.

Hyunmoo-V

The Hyunmoo-V is a South Korean medium-range ballistic missile with a total weight of about 36 tons and a warhead weighing between 8 and 9 tons.

According to official data, the missile can reach over 3,000 kilometers when equipped with a lighter warhead. When fitted with a heavier warhead, the official range has not been disclosed, though estimates suggest it may be reduced to around 300 kilometers.

The missile is approximately 15 to 16 meters long with a body diameter of about 1.6 meters.

It employs a “cold launch” system, where the missile is ejected from the launch tube before its main engine ignites at altitude.

The missile is designed to destroy underground targets such as command centers, nuclear missile bases, and other fortified facilities.

Its warheads are made of dense, durable metals to maximize penetration through kinetic energy.

Development of the Hyunmoo family started in 1986 with the original Hyunmoo-I, and the series now includes five versions.

These missile systems have become a key component of South Korea’s strategic arsenal and an important element of its deterrence posture.