North Korea marked the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party with a military parade that featured a relatively compact but concentrated lineup of new weapons. In theory, some of these systems could be on Moscow’s shopping list.
On October 9, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, visited North Korea - the highest-level Russian trip since Vladimir Putin’s June visit to Pyongyang.
Defense Express analysts said the visit underscores that the DPRK has effectively become Russia’s only military ally and a supplier of arms. The Pyongyang parade - and the presence of a Russian delegation - can be viewed through the lens of potential deliveries of new North Korean weapons to Russia.
Leading the column was the new “Chonma-20” tank (Western index M2024). It’s described as carrying a 125 mm gun with an estimated L/55 barrel, an active protection suite, and a remote weapon station. Analysts, however, caution that some elements may be mock-ups.
Next came 152 mm self-propelled howitzers M2018. They did not appear in official photos, but observers confirmed they were in the parade.
A new multiple launch rocket system with 22 short rockets drew attention. Based on the rocket dimensions, the range likely tops out at a few tens of kilometers. A large cylindrical module ahead of the launcher may house radio-electronic equipment.
KN-25 launchers followed - 600 mm rockets with a stated range up to 400 km, featuring a redesigned cabin.
Another system visually mimics the U.S. HIMARS, but its pod holds rails for older North Korean 122 mm and 240 mm rockets. Experts believe this was more a showpiece than a fully operational system.
For the first time, Pyongyang displayed copies of Israel’s Harop loitering munition. North Korean media had previously shown test footage. While the original Harop is designed to hunt radars, it remains unclear whether the DPRK version can perform that mission.
Launchers with unidentified missiles also appeared - first seen in 2020 - which analysts suspect could be a surface-to-air system still in development.
A significant portion of the parade spotlighted tactical and strategic missiles:
- Hwasong-11Na (KN-24) - a ballistic missile resembling the U.S. ATACMS.
- Hwasong-11Ma - a new two-stage version of the KN-23, akin to Russia’s Iskander. Shown for the first time with a hypersonic glide vehicle, though experts doubt it’s functional.
- Hwasong-16B — a medium-range ballistic missile with a similar hypersonic payload.
- Hwasong-20 — a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile on a mobile launcher; estimates put its range at up to 15,000 km.
- Hwasong-11Ma tactical missile system.
- Hwasong-16B ballistic missile
Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile.
The parade suggests the DPRK is steadily expanding its arsenal across multiple categories, though it remains unclear which systems are truly combat-ready.
Earlier, Kim Jong Un staged a “Russian World” celebration in Pyongyang featuring Russian singer Shaman, Alla Dukhova’s Todes ballet troupe, the Pyatnitsky State Academic Russian Folk Choir, and the Song and Dance Ensemble of Russia’s Aerospace Forces.
