Wonsan:Pyongyang North Korea has conducted a demonstration showcasing its 600-millimeter "ultra-precision" multiple rocket launcher, among other military capabilities. The event, highlighted by state media, featured the country's leader Kim Jong-un, who emphasized the importance of achieving "absolute superiority" in unmanned attack capabilities. This display also included simulated drone strikes as part of a broader exhibition on unmanned aeronautical technology.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the weapons demonstration was accompanied by an exhibition attended by Kim Jong-un, held on Thursday. The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the event coincided with the launch of approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area towards the East Sea. These missiles reportedly covered a distance of about 250 kilometers.
The exhibition highlighted various drones and combat systems, while the weapons demonstration featured tactical suicide attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, multi-purpose drones, and a 600-mm multiple rocket launcher battalion. The KCNA claimed that the attack drones and missiles achieved 100 percent accuracy on their targets.
In a public display for the first time, North Korea's "Sniper" multiple rocket launcher was showcased firing, with state media releasing photos of the event. The images depicted more than 10 launchers operating simultaneously, along with missile launches from drones and suicide attack drones targeting mock installations resembling South Korean and U.S. military assets.
While the KCNA did not specify the location of the demonstration, the event is believed to have taken place at Wonsan-Kalma Airport, identified from the photos released. This venue also hosted the 80th anniversary celebration of North Korea's air force last year.
During his speech, Kim Jong-un stressed the necessity of advancing drone technology rapidly and strengthening the nation's unmanned aeronautical capabilities. He linked military strength to peace, asserting that peace is only assured through strength. Kim urged the country's scientists to focus on developing unmanned aeronautical technology and AI for national defense, reflecting on North Korea's progress as a nuclear weapons state.
The event also featured Kim's daughter, Ju-ae, his wife, Ri Sol-Ju, and Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea. The missile launches marked North Korea's 17th ballistic missile activity this year, following the previous launch on October 12. A military official in Seoul noted that the recent launches likely involved North Korea's KN-25 super-large 600-mm multiple rocket launcher, reportedly capable of carrying Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warheads.