North Korea recently held an exhibition of weapons and technology called “National Defense Development 2025.” One of the exhibits at this exhibition was the Hwasong-11Ma hypersonic missile, which was unveiled to the public for the first time.
You can tell that this is a hypersonic missile by looking at its main part, where a hypersonic glider is installed. It is this glider that must separate at one stage of the flight and then continue to its target at a speed of Mach 5 (6,000 km/h) or more.
An important detail that can be immediately noticed by looking at the name is that it belongs to the Hwasong-11 family of missiles. However, this family includes many different missiles that are completely unrelated technically or conceptually. Therefore, it is worth looking at the Hwasong-11Ma launcher and accelerator. From this, it becomes clear that it is based on the Hwasong-11Da, whose warhead has been replaced with a glider and a separation mechanism.
It, in turn, is an enlarged version of the Hwasong-11Ga (KN-23), which is already a copy of the Russian 9M723 from the Iskander-M complex. Moreover, judging by all appearances, the KN-23 can be launched from the Iskander-M launcher, but the Hwasong-11Da cannot be launched from it due to its larger size (1.5 meters longer).
If we compare the Hwasong-11Ma and Iskander-M directly, we can see that they have almost identical tail designs and the same launcher concept, with two missiles and an opening roof.
The characteristics of the new Hwasong-11Ma are currently unknown, but it is known that the Hwasong-11Da has a warhead weighing 2.5 tons and a range of 600 km. Therefore, it can be assumed that the Hwasong-11Ma will have a longer range, but the warhead will probably be smaller.
Be that as it may, it is obvious that Putin is transferring missile technology to his fellow dictator Kim Jong-un. It is not difficult to assume that this information will eventually find its way to China. Such cooperation between countries where power is usurped by criminal, mentally ill groups of people could pose a significant threat to the free nations of the West in the future. If such threats have not already been created.
As of now, the economies of five dictatorial countries are working to capture and destroy Ukraine. First and foremost is Russia. Next are Belarus, Iran, North Korea, and China. If they achieve their goal, it will significantly strengthen their position in the world. And who will be their next victim? Will they attack the small Baltic countries? Will they intimidate the entire free world?
Whatever the case, this must be stopped! By exchanging missile technology, the countries of the Axis of Evil are only strengthening each other. The development of long-range missiles can endanger the lives of many civilians. And every month of silence from Western countries in response to the actions of dictators fuels their aggression and real capabilities.
Either we strike first to defend ourselves, or our losses will be much greater.
