"Development of the State Defense": Main New Items at the Exhibition in the DPRK
The air part of the parade at the opening of the exhibition
Pyongyang regularly hosts military-technical exhibitions, where the North Korean defense industry displays the results of its work. The latest such event, entitled “Development of the State Defense Affairs-2024,” opened several days ago. The exhibition included both well-known models and a number of the latest developments that are of great interest.
In a solemn atmosphere
On November 21, a grand opening ceremony of the main military-technical exhibition of the DPRK was held in Pyongyang. The event was attended by the country's top military and political leadership, headed by Kim Jong-un. As part of the ceremony, a parade was organized with aviation part.
At the opening of the exhibition "Development of the State Defense Affairs - 2024" speeches were made by the country's leaders. They emphasized the key role of the defense-industrial complex in ensuring security and protecting national interests. The speeches also noted the numerous achievements of the industry made in recent years on the instructions of the top leadership.
Speech by the head of the DPRK Kim Jong-un at the opening of the exhibition
After the opening ceremony, Kim Jong-un and his colleagues inspected the main part of the exhibition, where all the modern developments of the North Korean defense industry were presented, including the latest models. The head of state highly praised the achievements of the industry and called for further work in this direction.
As before, the exhibition "Development of the State Defense Affairs" presented a wide range of various developments of all main classes. This year, the DPRK industry demonstrated a number of modernized models of armored vehicles, modern artillery systems, unmanned aircraft, missile strategic complexes, etc.
It should be noted that many of the presented samples are already known to the public and have previously been demonstrated at parades and exhibitions. Other products could previously only be seen in official reports from the testing grounds. They were shown for the first time at such an event.
In the background is the Hwasongpo-19 complex and its missile.
Modern missile systems[/center]
Strategic Direction
Among all the developments of the DPRK, the most interesting, for obvious reasons, are the strategic missile systems. This year, several already known models were shown at the exhibition in Pyongyang, and in addition, the premiere of new systems took place.
The latest mobile ground-based missile system, the Hwasongpo-19, was presented at the “Development of National Defense Affairs.” According to some sources, its development was completed just a few months ago, and the first tests took place at the end of October. Now it was considered possible to show this ground-based missile system at an open event. The pavilion housed a self-propelled launcher and a missile without a container.
The Hwasongpo-19 system differs significantly from previous developments in this series. It is built on a new special chassis of increased length, designed to carry a container with a larger-diameter missile. The PGRK carries a three-stage solid-fuel ballistic missile. Its range, according to various estimates, is at least 15 thousand km. It is possible that this ICBM is equipped with a multiple warhead.
On the left is the Hwasongpo-16 with a hypersonic glide vehicle.
In April of this year, the first flight tests of the missile system with hypersonic combat equipment "Hwasongpo-16na" took place. Now this product was shown at an exhibition, and the combat stage, which is the most interesting part of the system, was demonstrated openly.
The Hwasongpo-16na complex is also mobile and built on a multi-axle chassis. It carries a missile with combat equipment in the form of a hypersonic gliding aircraft. During tests, such a combat stage confirmed the calculated speed characteristics. The test flight range of the artificial was limited to 1 thousand km, and the real characteristics may be much higher.
loitering ammunition
The Korean military and industry have conducted demonstration tests of new unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions developed in-house several times this year. Now, these technologies have made their way to the exhibition.
Modern UAVs and BBs of Korean design. In the foreground you can see the tower of a modernized tank M-2020
Several types of UAVs and BBs were presented at a separate stand. Some of them were already known to specialists and the public from previous official publications. The exposition featured BBs made according to the "duck" scheme, as well as several samples with an X-shaped wing. In addition, UAVs of a traditional scheme and a "flying wing" capable of vertical takeoff and landing were presented.
Unfortunately, not much is known about the new developments of the DPRK in the field of BB and UAVs. Even the names of these projects remain unknown, not to mention the tactical and technical characteristics. However, even in this case, it is obvious that the DPRK military-industrial complex is actively engaged in a promising direction and is ready to present the results of its work.
Modernized tank
The exhibition featured a number of different armored vehicles, and one of them was of particular interest. The latest model main battle tank, first shown in 2020, was on display. It has now undergone modernization aimed at improving key characteristics.
Upgraded MBT with improved protection
Korean designers took into account the experience of recent conflicts and paid great attention to the issues of tank protection. The vehicle's own armor, apparently, remained unchanged. At the same time, it received a set of laser and radar irradiation sensors. In addition, a pair of rotary launchers appeared on the roof of the turret. These are probably elements of the active protection system, designed to fire defensive ammunition.
With this configuration, the tank is able to learn in advance about approaching threats of certain types and repel them. The exact characteristics of the new means of protection are unknown, but it can be assumed that they are designed to counter modern missiles and UAVs.
Demonstration of opportunities
The exhibition “Development of the State Defense Affairs – 2024” also featured a host of other modern developments in the DPRK defense industry. Almost all major areas were covered, from small arms weapons and other infantry systems to missile systems of various classes. In particular, they even presented a space launch vehicle.
Annual exhibitions in Pyongyang, as well as parades dedicated to various memorable dates, clearly demonstrate the potential of the DPRK's defense industry. Despite all the difficulties and limitations, the country is actively developing its industry and regularly demonstrates new models of weapons and equipment.
Independently or with the help of friendly countries, the DPRK develops and implements various projects, including the most complex ones. Moreover, it is the most complex area of intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic systems that receives special attention. A number of such developments have been successfully brought to adoption into service, and now they help protect their country.
It is possible to expect that this path will be repeated by new developments, first demonstrated at the exhibition in Pyongyang. Before they were put on display, they managed to undergo at least some of the necessary tests, and this allows us to make positive forecasts.
In addition, it is already clear what will happen next. Over the next year, the DPRK will test certain samples of new models, and no later than autumn will show them at the next exhibition. What new products will be prepared for this event is still unknown. But we can expect that they will attract attention again.
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