Pukguksong-6
{{Short description|North Korean submarine-launched ballistic missile}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Pukguksong-6 (presumed)
| image =
| origin = North Korea
| type = Submarine-launched ballistic missile
| is_missile = yes
| length = {{convert|13.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{Cite web|author=Tianran Xu|date=25 July 2022|title=Emerging Capabilities? The Unflown SLBMs of the DPRK|url=https://opennuclear.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/Xu-Emerging%20Capabilities-The%20Unflown%20SLBMs%20of%20the%20DPRK-22%20Jul%202022.pdf|access-date=2025-01-31|website=Open Nuclear Network}}
| width = {{convert|2.21|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| propellant = solid fuel
| launch_platform = submersible barge, submarine (planned)
| vehicle_range = {{convert|4000-12000|km|abbr=on}}
| manufacturer= North Korea
| design_date = 2022
| number = 4 prototypes
| service =
| filling = Nuclear warhead
MIRV-capable (unconfirmed)
}}
The Pukguksong-6 ({{Korean|hangul=북극성-6|lit=Polaris 6|context=north}}) is presumed to be the official designation for a North Korean solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) first unveiled in 2022.{{Cite web|author1=Chaewon Chung|author2=Jeongmin Kim|date=26 April 2022|title=North Korea shows off apparent new solid fuel missile|url=https://www.nknews.org/2022/04/north-korea-rolls-out-long-range-hwasong-17-nuclear-missiles-at-military-parade/|access-date=2025-01-31|website=NK News}}
Description
{{External media|float=right|title=Images of the Pukguksong-6|headerimage=|image1=[https://i1-vnexpress.vnecdn.net/2022/04/26/duyet-binh-trieu-tien-2022-10-1650954056.jpg?w=1200&h=0&q=100&dpr=1&fit=crop&s=DMgRfajKYvFEgkoXGa3YDw At the 25 April 2022 military parade]|width=270px}}
The Pukguksong-6 is a solid-propelled missile probably derived from Pukguksong-5.{{Cite web|date=7 September 2022
|title=S/2022/668|url=https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n22/608/53/pdf/n2260853.pdf|access-date=2025-01-31|website=United Nations Security Council}} It is longer than Pukguksong-4 and Pukguksong-5.{{Cite web|author=Tianran Xu|date=2 May 2022|title=25 April 2022 DPRK Parade|url=https://opennuclear.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/25%20April%202022%20DPRK%20parade_0_0.pdf|access-date=2025-01-31|website=Open Nuclear Network}} The missile's estimated length and diameter is {{convert|13.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2.21|m|ft|abbr=on}} respectively. The missile likely uses three-stage design. However, German analyst Norbert Brügge claimed the missile to be a two-stage silo-based missile with a longer first stage compared to Pukguksong-5.{{Cite web|author=Norbert Brügge|title=Pukguksong-6 GLBM|url=https://b14643.eu/Spacerockets/Specials/Pukguksong-6_GLBM/index.htm|access-date=2025-01-31|website=b14643.eu}}
As an improved version of Pukguksong-5, Pukguksong-6 may have a much longer range and capability of carrying multiple warheads,{{cite web|author=Daehan Lee|date=26 April 2022|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/04/north-korea-showcases-new-slbm-in-the-military-parade/|title=North Korea showcases new SLBM during military parade|website=Naval News|access-date=2025-01-31}} and is believed to be able to carry three to four reentry vehicles.{{cite web|author=Park Dae-ro|date=7 May 2022|url=https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20220506_0001862078|title=北 신형 SLBM 사거리 4000㎞로 증가?…잠수함도 커질 듯|trans-title=North Korea's new SLBM range increased to 4,000km? Submarines may also become larger|website=Newsis|access-date=2025-02-02|language=ko}} The missile is believed to be theoretically capable of hitting the continental United States,{{cite web|author=Gabriel Honrada|date=27 April 2022|url=https://asiatimes.com/2022/04/north-koreas-new-sub-missile-aims-for-us-mainland/|title=North Korea’s new sub missile aims for US mainland|website=Asia Times|access-date=2025-01-31}} with estimated ranges ranging from {{cvt|4000|km|abbr=on}} to {{cvt|12000|km|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|author=Julian Ryall|date=28 March 2025|title=Is North Korea’s nuclear submarine a game changer or ‘vanity project’?
|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3304188/north-koreas-nuclear-submarine-game-changer-or-vanity-project|access-date=2025-04-16|website=South China Morning Post}}
The missile is also claimed to be the largest SLBM produced by North Korea,{{Cite web|date=26 April 2022|author=H. I. Sutton|title=Seen For First Time : North Korea's Largest Submarine Launched Missile|url=http://www.hisutton.com/North-Koreas-Largest-Submarine-Launched-Missile.html|access-date=2025-01-31|website=H I Sutton - Covert Shores}} as well as the North Korea's largest solid-fueled ballistic missile as of September 2022.
It is possible that the missile is intended to be launched from a 3,000-ton submarine under construction as of 2022.
History
North Korea first displayed Pukguksong-6 on 25 April 2022 during a military parade. Four missiles were placed on 6-axle trucks. North Korea did not reveal the official designation, and the Pukguksong-6 designation remains unconfirmed.
A small-scale model of the missile appeared at a banquet attended by Kim Jong Un on 27 August 2023.{{Cite web|author=Colin Zwirko|date=29 August 2023|title=Kim Jong Un promises nuclear weapon deployment to navy in visit to HQ|url=https://www.nknews.org/2023/08/kim-jong-un-promises-nuclear-weapon-deployment-to-navy-in-visit-to-hq/|access-date=2025-01-31|website=NK News}} For amended image, see [https://assets.korearisk.com/uploads/2023/08/rodong-aug29-2023-kju-daughter-navy-command-hq-banquet-slbm-pgs6-compared-apr25-2022-military-parade.jpg here].
There has been no known test for Pukguksong-6.{{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=2025-02-01|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative}}