Hwasong-5

Hwasong-5
Type	Short range ballistic missile
Place of origin	North Korea
Service history
In service	1987−Present
Used by	See operators
Wars	Iran-Iraq war Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
Production history
Manufacturer	125th Machine Factory[1]
Produced	1986[1]−1992[2]
No. built	300[2]
Variants	See variants
Specifications
Mass	5,860 kg (12,920 lb)[2]
Length	10.94 m (35.9 ft)[2]
Diameter	88 cm (35 in)[2]
Maximum firing range	300 kilometres (190 mi)[3]
Warhead	HE or Cluster munition[3]
Warhead weight	1,000 kg (2,200 lb)[3]
Propellant	TM-185 (20% gasoline 80% kerosene) / AK-27I (27% N 2O 4 73% NHO 3)[4]
Accuracy	450 m (490 yd) CEP[5]
Launch platform	MAZ-543 or converted civilian truck TEL[2]

The Hwasong-5 (Korean: 화성 5; Hanja: 火星 5; lit. Mars 5)^[6] is a North Korean short range ballistic missile (SRBM)^[5] derived from the Soviet R-17 Elbrus missile.^[7] It is one of several missiles with the NATO reporting name Scud-B.^[3]

North Korea received rocket artillery, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and anti-ship missiles from the Soviet Union in the 1960s and then from China in the 1970s.^[8] The range and accuracy of the 2K6 Luna were unsatisfactory, but the Soviets refused to supply ballistic missiles to limit tensions in Korea.^[7] North Korea sought a domestic missile production capability by 1965, and began making military and industrial preparations shortly afterward.^[8]

A joint development program with China of the DF-61 missile began in 1977, but was cancelled in 1978 due to Chinese domestic politics.^[9] North Korea received R-17s from Egypt in the late 1970s or early 1980s. North Korea supported Egypt during the Yom Kippur War and the countries had friendly relations.^[7][10] With relations between Egypt and the Soviet Union deteriorating during the mid-1970s, the Egyptians no longer could purchase ballistic missiles from the Soviets, and to deal with the loss of its sole supplier, the Egyptians helped North Korea to reverse-engineer the R-17 in hope of eventually setting up a production line with North Korean assistance.^[11]

The R-17s were reverse engineered to develop multiple derivatives starting with the Hwasong-5.^[7] The Hwasong-5 may have slightly better range than the R-17 due to improved engines.^[12] There were up to six test launches from April to September 1984 with three successes.^[3][12] The missile entered production in 1985. Serial production began in 1986. It entered North Korean service in 1987.^[3]

Hwasong-series missiles are reportedly manufactured by the No. 125 Factory in Pyongyang.^[13] It is estimated that about 300 missiles were produced between 1986 until 1991 or 1992.^[2] The Hwasong-5 is mounted on a North Korean copy of the MAZ-543 transporter erector launcher vehicle or a converted civilian truck.^[2] The missile can carry high explosive (HE) or cluster munition warheads.^[3] Reportedly, the North Koreans are working on the development of chemical and biological warheads for their Hwasong missile program.^[4]

According to a 1988 CIA report, the Egyptians conducted a Hwasong-5 test launch in 1986, and that in 1988 the country was probably assembling Hwasong-5 missiles using knock-down kits. While its unknown if Egypt successfully managed to manufacture them locally, it is known that North Korea helped the Egyptians repair and refurbish their aging inventory of Soviet-built Scud-B systems.^[11]

Iran used the Hwasong-5 during the War of the Cities, with eight launch failures. North Korea received operational data from Iran. Iran first requested missiles from North Korea in 1985, and a 1985 cooperation agreement between the countries may have included Iranian funds for ballistic missile development.^[12]

Following the end of production of Scud missiles in the Soviet Union, Syria turned to North Korea and China to support and strengthen its existing Scud battalions. Syria purchased an unknown number of Hwasong-5 and Hwasong-6 missiles and TELs from North Korea.^[14]

In 1989, the United Arab Emirates purchased Hwasong-5 missiles.^[15] The missiles were decommissioned, allegedly due to unsatisfactory quality.^[16]

Besides confirmed exports to Iran, Syria, and the UAE,^[17] the North Koreans reportedly exported (or planned to export) the Hwasong-5 to the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Yemen; according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.^[2]

Shahab-1

Hwasong-6

KN-21

A variant with terminal maneuverability and tested on August 26, 2017.^[18] Not seen after August 2017 and likely abandoned. KN-21 is the U.S. designation.^[19][20]

•  Egypt − Possibly assembled locally in 1988 using knock-down kits^[11]
•  Iran^[1] − Produced locally as the Shahab-1.^[2] According to a 2024 report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, their service status is "uncertain"^[21]
•  North Korea − 30+ Hwasong-5/6 launchers in service as of 2024^[22]
•  Syria^[14]

•  United Arab Emirates^[1] − Reportedly decommissioned.^[16] According to the IISS, the UAE still have 6 launchers and up to 20 missiles in its inventories as of 2024^[23]
•  Yemen − Pre-war stocks depleted during the Yemeni civil war (2014–present). Most were converted into Burkan missiles by the Houthis^[24]

• Hwasong-5 at the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance