Hwasong-9
{{Short description|North Korean medium-range ballistic missile}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = Hwasong-9
| image =
| origin = North Korea
| type = Medium-range ballistic missile
| vehicle_range = {{convert|700-1000|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| yield =
| engine =
| guidance =
| speed =
| length = {{cvt|12.8-13.5|m|abbr=on}}
| diameter = {{cvt|0.88|m|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{cvt|6,400-9,200|kg|abbr=on}}
| filling = {{cvt|500|kg|abbr=on}} single warhead (conventional high-explosive, chemical, or biological)
Possibly nuclear-capable
| accuracy = {{convert|3,000|m|ft|abbr=on}} CEP
| design_date = 1990s
| manufacturer =
| unit_cost =
| service =
| used_by = Korean People's Army Strategic Force
| launch_platform = 4-axle TEL
}}
The Hwasong-9{{cite web|author=Vladimir Khrustalev|date=2017-07-16|url=http://www.neams.ru/real-name/ |title=Real Name!|website= NEAMS |access-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813045424/http://www.neams.ru/real-name/ |archive-date=13 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}{{efn|Also known as Scud-ER (Scud Extended Range) and KN-04 (United States’s designation).}} ({{Korean|hangul=《화성-9》형|lit=Mars Type 9|context=north}}) is a North Korean single-stage, liquid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile.
Description
{{External media|float=right|title=Images of the Hwasong-9|headerimage=|image1=[https://cdn-iladncp.nitrocdn.com/HqlEixensysOTCVgzDQPqXypWdYAZutW/assets/images/optimized/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/4a4e20eed4971d0d394eeb4d92d34ee7.hwasong-9-scud-er-kctv-1024x1024.jpg September 2016 test]|image2=[https://image.congan.com.vn/thumbnail/CATP-480-2017-7-28/ten-lua-2.jpg March 2017 test]|width=250px}}
The Hwasong-9 is an advanced version of Hwasong-6 with a longer, lighter and wider body to storing more propellants, The Hwasong-9's estimated length, diameter and mass are {{cvt|12.8-13.5|m|abbr=on}}, {{cvt|0.88|m|abbr=on}} and {{cvt|6,400-9,200|kg|abbr=on}} respectively. The missile's transporter erector launcher is a MAZ-543 truck with four axles. It also has a separable warhead that is separated after engine burnout for improving the trajectory stability and reducing radar signature.{{Cite web|title=Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER)|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/scud-er/|date=8 August 2016|access-date=2025-01-01|website=Center for Strategic and International Studies}}{{Cite web|date=2022-04-21|title=DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022|url=https://opennuclear.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/DPRK%20Parade%20ViewBook%2020220421.pptx_.pdf
|access-date=2025-01-01|website=Open Nuclear Network|page=6}}{{Cite web|author1= Markus Schiller|author2=Robert H. Schmucker|date=8 November 2016|title=Flashback to the Past: North Korea’s "New" Extended-Range Scud|url=https://www.38north.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Scud-ER-110816_Schiller_Schmucker.pdf|access-date=2025-01-01|website=38 North}}
As an enlarged, extended-range version of Hwasong-6, it can exchange payload for greater range. The Hwasong-9 is capable of travelling {{convert|700-1000|km|mi|abbr=on}} with a reduced payload of {{convert|500|kg|abbr=on}} and enlarging the propellant tanks. It is a single-stage, road mobile missile that can employ a high-explosive, submunition, chemical, or potentially miniaturized nuclear warhead with a {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} CEP. Its range allows the North Korean military to strike anywhere on the Korean peninsula and threaten areas of Japan. It is possible that Hwasong-9 is nuclear-capable.{{cite web|url=https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/north-korea/scud-er/|title=Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER/Scud-D Variant)|website=Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance|access-date=2025-01-01}}
History
Reportedly, North Korea began developing Hwasong-9 in 1991 and could start production from 1994.
Reports suggest Syria received these missiles in 2000, enabling them to target all of Israel and southeastern Turkey, including Ankara. Syria also converted its own Hwasong-6 production line in order to make the Hwasong-9.
According to the United Nations, since 2008, North Korea has assisted Syria in development of manoeuvrable vehicles for Hwasong-9.{{cite web|author=James Bingham|date=2018-04-04 |url=http://www.janes.com/article/78999/un-report-reveals-extent-of-north-korean-arms-sales|title=UN report reveals extent of North Korean arms sales|access-date=2025-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041737/http://www.janes.com/article/78999/un-report-reveals-extent-of-north-korean-arms-sales|archive-date=6 April 2018|website=Janes Information Services|url-status=dead}}
Hwasong-9 was test-fired in September 2016 and March 2017.{{Cite web|title=The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database|url=https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/north_korea_missile_test_database.xlsx|access-date=2025-01-01|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative}}
In 2024, Hwasong-9 was reported to be used during Russian invasion of Ukraine from November 2023.{{cite web|author=Thế Duy|date=2024-10-21|url=https://congthuong.vn/ten-lua-trieu-tien-hwasong-9-duoc-phat-hien-tan-cong-muc-tieu-o-ukraine-353771.html|title=Tên lửa Triều Tiên Hwasong-9 được phát hiện tấn công mục tiêu ở Ukraine|trans-title=North Korean missile Hwasong-9 was detected hitting target in Ukraine|website=Báo Công Thương|access-date=2025-02-09|language=vi}}
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), as of 2025, North Korea is possessing "some" Hwasong-9 launchers.{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2025 |date=12 February 2025 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1041049678 |edition=1st}}{{rp|268}}
Tests
North Korea may also test Hwasong-9 in 2006, 2009, and 2014, but due to the similarities between their Scud variants, it is difficult to confirm the exact missile used for each launch.
Notes
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