Russia helps North Korea improve missiles?

(Dan Tri) - Through combat practice, Russian engineers have helped North Korea improve the precision attack capability of the Hwasong-11A tactical ballistic missile.

North Korea's KN-23 short-range mobile tactical ballistic missile (Photo: Army Recognition).

Kyrylo Budanov, Director of the Ukrainian Intelligence Service, said that a defect in the precision strike capability of North Korea's KN-23 missile was detected by Russian engineers when it was deployed for use in the conflict in Ukraine.

"Initially, the missile's accuracy was seriously flawed, with an amplitude ranging from 500-1,500 meters," Mr. Budanov revealed in an interview with South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper on February 17.

"However, Russian missile experts have made technical adjustments and solved this problem. The missile is now significantly more accurate and poses a much greater threat," Budanov added.

KN-23 is the name given by the US, while North Korea names this weapon Hwasong-11A.

This is a solid-fuel ballistic missile with a range of about 690km and is often compared to Russia's Iskandar-M.

The Hwasong-11A is one of North Korea's new weapons, unveiled at a military parade in 2018. The missile's range allows it to strike deep into South Korean territory.

In July 2024, Pyongyang announced that it had successfully tested a more advanced version of the missile - the Hwasong-11Da-4.5, which can carry a 4.5-ton warhead.

In an interview with Chosun Ilbo , Mr. Budanov said that the cooperative relationship between Russia and North Korea is "reaching its highest level", thereby warning of the growing threat to countries that Pyongyang considers hostile in Asia.

"North Korea is using this conflict to gain combat experience and modernize its military technology. This will have long-term consequences for security in the Asia-Pacific region," Budanov stressed.

Meanwhile, Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Director of the Ukrainian Intelligence Service, also affirmed that the North Korean army is learning very quickly.

“Their combat effectiveness has improved significantly, not only with conventional weapons like tanks but also with advanced systems like drones,” Skibitskyi said.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-giup-trieu-tien-cai-tien-ten-lua-20250219183702571.htm