Korea’s ICBM, with range to strike entire U.S., lands near Japan’s waters

Korea’s ICBM, with range to strike entire U.S., lands near Japan’s waters

Subject : International Relations

Context : North Korea has fired an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICMB) that landed close to Japanese waters recently which is the second major weapons test within a one-month duration that showcases the capability to launch nuclear strikes on all of the U.S. mainland.

Concept : 

• As per the experts, the recent launch involved the longest-range missile( Hwasong-17 missile,), which is still under development and is designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads to overcome U.S. missile defence systems.
• North Korea’s recent tests aim to advance its nuclear arsenal and win greater concessions in future diplomacy and the tests have been conducted at a time when China and Russia have criticised the U.S. moves to toughen UN sanctions on curbing the North’s nuclear programme.
• The U.S. has condemned the launch and has assured to take all measures to guarantee the safety of its territory and its allies South Korea and Japan.

About Hwasong 17 missile

• The Hwasong-17 is nuclear-armed North Korea’s biggest missile yet.
• It is the largest road-mobile, liquid-fuelled ICBM in the world.
• Its diameter is estimated to be between 2.4 and 2.5 metres, and its total mass, when fully fuelled, is likely somewhere between 80,000 and 110,000 kg.
• Unlike North Korea’s earlier ICBMs, the Hwasong-17 is launched directly from a transporter, erector, launcher (TEL) vehicle with 11 axles.

Intercontinental ballistic missile

• An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a missile with a minimum range of 5,500 kilometres primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery.
• Conventional, chemical, and biological weapons can also be delivered with varying effectiveness, but have never been deployed on ICBMs.
• Countries that have ICBMs: India, Russia, the United States, North Korea, China, Israel, the United Kingdom and France.
• ICBMs are differentiated by having greater range and speed than other ballistic missiles.
• Short and medium-range ballistic missiles are known collectively as the theatre ballistic missiles.

Types of ballistic missiles based on the range

Short-range (tactical) ballistic missile (SRBM): Range between 300 km and 1,000 km.

• Medium-range (theatre) ballistic missile (MRBM): 1,000 km to 3,500 km.
• Intermediate-range (Long-Range) ballistic missile (IRBM or LRBM): 3,500 km and 5,500 km.
• Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): 5,500 km +.
• Ballistic missiles of India: Agni, K-4 (SLBM), Prahaar, Dhanush, Prithvi and Trishul.