Hwasong-6

The Hwasong-6 (Korean: ; lit. Mars Type 6Template:Category handler) is a North Korean tactical ballistic missile. It is derived from the Hwasong-5, itself a derivative of the Soviet R-17 Elbrus. It carries the NATO reporting name Scud.

History

Work on an extended-range version of the Hwasong-5 began around 1984, and with only relatively minor modifications, a new type was produced from 1989, designated Hwasong-6 ("Scud Mod. C" or "Scud-C"). It was first tested in June 1990, and entered full-scale production the same year, or in 1991.Template:Sfn It is likely out of production. The North Koreans would later use their acquired know-how to produce domestic copies of the Scud-B to create a larger missile, the Hwasong-7.Template:Sfn

To increase range over its predecessor, the Hwasong-6 has its payload decreased to and the length of the rocket body extended to increase the propellant by 25%; accuracy is circular error probability (CEP).Template:Sfn Such range is sufficient to strike targets as far away as western Japan. Its dimensions are identical to the original Hwasong-5. Due to difficulties in procuring MAZ-543 TELs, mobile launchers were produced in North Korea. By 1999, North Korea was estimated to have produced 600 to 1,000 Hwasong-6 missiles, of which 25 had been launched in tests, 300 to 500 had been exported, and 300 to 600 were in service with the Korean People's Army.

The Hwasong-6 is armed with a high-explosive (HE) fragmentation or cluster warhead,Template:Sfn but it's believed that it can also carry a nuclear, chemical, or biological warhead.

Before the 2015 Houthi takeover in Yemen, the country didn't have a domestic missile program, and had only a small stockpile of Soviet-made Scud-B and North Korean Hwasong-6 missiles bought in the 1980s and 1990s. These were used against the pro-Hadi forces in the summer of that year.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Since then, the Houthis have used domestically produced ballistic missiles with Iranian assistance.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Variants

Iran

• Shahab-2

North Korea

• KN-18

Yemen

• Burkan-2

Export

The Hwasong-6 was exported to Iran, where it is designated as the Shahab-2, to Syria, where it is manufactured under licence with Chinese assistance and to Yemen. Myanmar also imported Hwasong-6 ballistic missiles in 2009. About 25 Hwasong-6 ballistic missiles were purchased by Vietnam from North Korea in 1997. In 1995, Libya purchased 5 Hwasong-6 missiles from North Korea, however they were never tested or deployed, and planned local production was cancelled in 2003 with the disarmament of Libya.

Operators

Current

• Template:Sfn − Reportedly purchased in 1996, unconfirmed
• Template:Sfn − Produced locally as the Shahab-2.Template:Sfn Status uncertainTemplate:Sfn
• − ReportedTemplate:Sfn
• − 30+ Hwasong 5/6 launchers as of 2024Template:Sfn
• Template:Sfn − Scud-CTemplate:Sfn
• − Scud-CTemplate:Sfn

Non-state

• Template:Country data Hezbollah − Scud-C (reported)Template:Sfn

Former

• Libya
• − Pre-war stocks depleted during the Yemeni civil war (2014–present). Most were converted into Burkan missiles by the Houthis

See also

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