KN-25 explained

Is Missile:yes
600 mm multiple rocket launcher (KN-25)
Type:Multiple rocket launcher (North Korea claimed)
Short-range ballistic missile (South Korea, US claimed)
Guidance:Possibly inertial with satellite
Launch Platform:Wheeled or tracked vehicle
Filling: fragmentation warhead
Hwasan-31
Design Date:2019
Manufacturer:Kanggye Tractor Factory (rocket)
March 16 Factory, Pyongsong (launcher)
Used By:North Korea

The 600 mm multiple rocket launcher, widely known outside North Korea by its United States's designation KN-25, is a weapon system that is referred to by North Korean state media as multiple rocket launcher, and by South Korea and the United States as short-range ballistic missile.

Description

The KN-25 is developed as a hybrid weapon system between short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) and traditional multiple rocket launcher (MRL).[1] Officially described as a "super-large" MRL; however, KN-25 has characteristics of a ballistic missile.[2] Because of its larger size and greater range compared to traditional rocket artillery, the United States Forces Korea (USFK) categorizes it as a SRBM. It flies on a controlled ballistic trajectory. Missiles are estimated to be in diameter, long, and weigh . They have an unspecified guidance system and have six rotating rear fins, with four moving forward fins, which likely provide the attitude control of the rocket.[3]

They are mounted on multiple types of launcher, including a six-tube, tracked transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) with 10 road wheels on each side,[4] a four-tube Tatra 813 8×8 wheeled launcher, a four-axle, road-mobile launcher carrying five tubes,[5] or a wheeled TEL with six launch tubes.[6]

It is a battlefield weapon, suitable for deployment at battalion-level, to attack enemy rear-echelon targets and infrastructures,[7] such as airfield and command center,[8] out to with a conventional blast-fragmentation warhead,[9] weighing .[10] In October 2022, the KN-25 was included in a statement among other missiles that North Korea claimed were part of its capability to deliver tactical nuclear weapons.[11] At a military parade in February 2023, the KN-25 was included among other missiles which the North Korean press collectively referred to these as "tactical nuclear weapons operation units."[12] In March 2023, North Korea confirmed that KN-25 can be equipped with the Hwasan-31 nuclear warhead.[13]

The six rotating rear fins are an unusual feature for rocket artillery, a considerable innovation of North Korea. Their purpose is to provide stabilisation of the rocket while in flight, compared to other rocket artillery rounds, which are usually spin stabilised by rotating the entire body. This method of stabilisation creates a more favourable environment for the guidance systems, as the rest of the missile does not rotate.[14] There are additional four fins at the nose cone for direction control. It is possible that the missile will be stabilised through rolling the missile when it enters the upper atmosphere, where the smaller control fins are unable to function optimally, and then stopping the spin as it re-enters into denser air. It has a circular error probable accuracy of .[15]

The missile possibly derives from the OTR-21 Tochka/Hwasong-11 (KN-02), which has a similarly sized motor, at 62 cm diameter. Connecting three such motor segments would result in a length similar to the KN-25 rocket.[16] The KN-25 is likely an indigenous project, as media coverage of this missile emphasises its research, using words such as "Juche projectiles" to describe it, unlike the Hwasong-11A (KN-23).[17]

According to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, KN-25 incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) technology.[18] However, it is possible that the AI incorporation mentioned by North Korea may refer to production, rather than guidance.[19]

Mass production of KN-25 and its launcher

KN-25 launchers are manufactured at the March 16 Factory in Pyongsong, while the 600 mm-diameter rockets are assembled in Kanggye Tractor Factory.

On 1 January 2023, 30 TELs were presented as a gift to the plenary meeting of the Worker's Party of Korea, with Kim Jong Un attending and making a speech.[20] The system was described as "unprecedented", in both the munitions industry as having no equal and its presentation, being on the lawn of the party central committee.[21] 30 six-tube tracked launchers plus at least 9 four-tube wheeled launchers publicly showcased in North Korea's possession, would give them the ability to fire up to 216 rockets, requiring many fewer launch vehicles than would be needed to fire a similar number of traditional ballistic missiles, to saturate South Korean ballistic missile defenses.[4]

In May 2025, it was revealed that KN-25's tracked launcher has undergone mass production.[22]

A batch of 50 five-tube launchers of KN-25 was transferred to the Korean People's Army during a ceremony held on 18 February 2026, with Kim Jong Un attending.[23] [24]

Cruise missile launcher

On 13 September 2021, North Korea announced they had conducted successful flight tests of a land-attack cruise missile (LACM) over the past two days. The mobile launcher appears to be the same vehicle used to carry KN-25 "oversized" rockets, both weapons likely being similar in diameter. The cruise missile could carry a conventional or nuclear warhead. It is claimed to have a range of .[25] It was later revealed that the cruise missile is officially named Hwasal-1.[26]

List of tests

AttemptDate (Pyongyang Standard Time)LocationNumber of missiles testedApogeeRangeAdditional notesReference(s)
131 July 2019Possibly Wonsan2First test-fire of KN-25. 21-minute firing interval, dubious projectile; thin warhead, but different shape to the smaller KN-09 MRL.[27] [28]
22 August 2019Possibly Yonghung224-minute firing interval. North Korea used tracked chassis.[29]
324 August 2019Sondok Airport217-minute firing interval.
410 September 2019Kaechon Airport3The first two rockets were launched with a 19-minute firing interval between tests. The third rocket possibly failed to properly launch.
531 October 2019Sunchon Airport23-minute firing interval.
628 November 2019Yonpo Airfield230-second firing interval.[30]
72 March 2020Anbyon County, Kangwon Province2The missiles, fired for only 20 seconds, were launched with a 20-second firing interval. Kim Jong Un oversaw the test.[31]
88 March 2020Sondok, South Hamgyong Province3North Korea also launched smaller MLRS missiles to accompany KN-25. According to South Korea, the launch may be a part of an ongoing artillery drill that involved multiple rocket launchers.[32]
929 March 2020Hodo Peninsula, Kangwon Province2The two rockets were launched with a 20-second firing interval between tests. The launch was to verify the specifications of KN-25 before delivering to the Korean People's Army.[33]
1029 September 2022Sunchon, North Pyongan Province2North Korea released information on 10 October 2022.[34]
115 October 2022Samsok District, Pyongyang1North Korea released information on 10 October 2022. A Hwasong-11A missile was launched about 15 minutes after the launch.
128 October 2022Munchon, Kangwon Province2North Korea released information on 10 October 2022. The rockets were launched with a 6-minute firing interval between tests.
133 November 2022Unknown2North Korea released information on 7 November 2022.[35]
145 November 2022Unknown2UnknownUnknownNorth Korea released information on 7 November 2022.[36]
1531 December 2022Chunghwa County, North Hwanghae Province3North Korea's Second Economic Commission fired the rockets. The launch was to assess its combat capability.[37] [38]
161 January 2023Ryongsong, Pyongyang1UnknownUnknownThe rocket was fired by a long-range artillery sub-unit of the Korean People's Army.[39]
1720 February 2023Sukchon, South Pyongan Province2The rockets were fired by a long-range artillery sub-unit of the Korean People's Army.[40]
1818 March 2024Samsok District, Pyongyang6There were two heats of firing, each heat had three rockets. The second heat was fired after a 53-minute interval. Kim Jong Un oversaw the test.[41]
1922 April 2024Samsok District, Pyongyang4Kim Jong Un guided the test.[42]
2030 May 2024Pyongyang International Airport18Kim Jong Un guided the test. According to the Korean Central News Agency, these missiles hit the target away. United States condemned the launch.[43] [44]
2112 September 2024Chunghwa County, North Hwanghae Province3Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch. North Korea claimed the revelation of "new-type 600mm multiple rocket launcher". Image showed that KN-25 missiles were launched from a new wheeled launcher with six launch tubes.[45]
228 May 2025Wonsan5 to 8UnknownUnknownKim Jong Un oversaw the test. North Korea also fired at least one Hwasong-11A missile in the test.[46] [47] [48]
2327 January 2026Northern Pyongyang4Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch along with his daughter. According to North Korean state media, the launch was to verify the effectiveness, mobility and accuracy of an "upgraded" large-caliber MRL system. However, Japanese data showed only two missiles were launched and achieved a maximum apogee of .[49] [50] [51] [52]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Đào Cảnh. 2025-08-23. Bí mật công nghệ pháo phản lực KN-25 600mm: Bắn loạt như mưa, xuyên thủng mọi lá chắn tên lửa?. KN-25 600 mm rocket artillery technology secret: Fires volleys like rain, penetrates all missile defenses?. VietNamNet. vi. 2025-08-23.
  2. Web site: Gwadera . Zuzanna . 24 August 2024 . North Korea doubles down on short-range ballistic-missile production . 2025-09-17 . . en.
  3. Web site: March 23, 2020. Analysis of the KN-25 Multiple Rocket Launcher System after the 9 March 2020 DPRK Test. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211012112931/https://datayo.org/p/stories/8aILhAlEbecspf95/analysis-of-the-kn-25-multiple-rocket-launcher-system-after-the-9-march-2020-dprk-test. 2021-10-12. Datayo. 2021-10-26.
  4. Web site: Tianran Xu. 13 February 2023. Update on the DPRK's 600 mm Multiple Launch Rocket System. Open Nuclear Network. 2025-06-06.
  5. Web site: 2026-02-19. Triều Tiên khẳng định năng lực quốc phòng trước thềm Đại hội Đảng. North Korea asserts its defense capabilities ahead of the WPK Party Congress. People's Army Newspaper. vi. 2026-02-21.
  6. Web site: Colin Zwirko. 13 September 2024. Kim Jong Un tours uranium enrichment facility, demanding more nukes. NK News. 2025-09-21. limited. Kim also oversaw a 600mm multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) test [...] It is also known as the KN-25. Rockets were fired in quick succession from a new six-tube wheeled launch vehicle design [...].
  7. Web site: Michael Elleman. 2020-03-06. North Korea's Recent KN-25 Launches. 38 North. 2025-06-06.
  8. Web site: Mai Hương. 2025-05-05. Quân sự thế giới hôm nay (5-5): Triều Tiên sản xuất hàng loạt bệ phóng tên lửa KN-25. World military today (5 May): North Korea's mass production of KN-25 missile launchers. People's Army Newspaper. vi. 2025-09-21.
  9. Web site: 2019-10-04. KN-25. Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. 2025-06-06.
  10. Web site: Đào Cảnh. 2026-02-19. Triều Tiên tung 50 'quái vật' KN-25 hạt nhân, xóa sổ mục tiêu trong vài phút, thế giới rúng động. North Korea deploys 50 'nuclear monsters' KN-25, destroying target within minutes, shocking the world. VietNamNet. vi. 2026-02-20.
  11. Web site: Vann H. Van Diepen. 14 October 2022. "A Strong Military Warning": Four Key Implications of North Korea's October 10 Missile Statement: More Political Than Military Significance. 2025-01-02. 38 North.
  12. Web site: Vann H. Van Diepen. North Korea's Feb. 8 Parade Highlights ICBMs and Tactical Nukes. 2025-01-03. 38 North. 15 February 2023.
  13. Web site: Trà Khánh. 11 April 2023. Giải mã đầu đạn hạt nhân Triều Tiên khiến Mỹ và đồng minh lo sợ. Decoding North Korean nuclear warheads that makes the US and its allies afraid. 2025-08-03 . VTC News. vi.
  14. Web site: 18 October 2021. Tianran Xu. Brief on the Defence Development Exhibition of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 2025-01-02. Open Nuclear Network.
  15. Web site: North Korean Short Range Systems: Military consequences of the development of the KN-23, KN-24 and KN-25 . Stéphane . Delory . Antoine . Bondaz . Christian . Maire . 2023 . . 27 December 2024 . live . 16 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116105343/https://www.nonproliferation.eu/hcoc/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NORTH-KOREAN-SHORT-RANGE-SYSTEMS.pdf.
  16. Web site: Norbert Brügge. Pukguksong MLRS. 2021-10-26. www.b14643.eu.
  17. Web site: A Tale of Two Missiles: Analysis of KCNA reports on North Korea's KN-23 and KN-24 short range ballistic missiles. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115110740/https://datayo.org/p/stories/8jzzpJxnZhMCzDA6/a-tale-of-two-missiles-analysis-of-kcna-reports-on-north-koreas-kn-23-and-kn-24-short-range-ballistic-missiles. 2021-01-15. Datayo. 4 September 2025. dead.
  18. Web site: 2026-02-19. Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un's Speech at Ceremony of Presenting Military Hardware. 2026-02-20. Korean Central News Agency.
  19. Web site: Hải Hưng. 2026-02-19. Triều Tiên bất ngờ công bố 50 “siêu pháo” tích hợp AI, có thể mang đầu đạn hạt nhân. North Korea unveiled 50 nuclear-capable "super rockets" incorporating AI. Người Lao Động. vi. 2026-02-20.
  20. Web site: 2023-01-01 . Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Makes Reply Speech at Ceremony of Donating 600mm Super-large Multiple Launch Rocket System . 2025-06-06 . Korean Central News Agency.
  21. Web site: 2023-01-01. Gift of Loyalty to Plenary Meeting of Great WPK from Munitions Industrial Workers . 2025-06-06 . Korean Central News Agency.
  22. Web site: Thu Thủy. 2025-05-06. Tên lửa phóng loạt KN-25 bánh xích: Vũ khí đáng gờm đã được Triều Tiên sản xuất hàng loạt. KN-25 tracked multiple launch rocket: A formidable weapon mass-produced by North Korea. VietTimes. vi. 2025-09-21.
  23. Web site: Lee Yun-tae. 2026-02-20. Pyongyang unveils KN-25 as Seoul moves on pact. 2026-02-20. The Dong-A Ilbo.
  24. Web site: 2026-02-19. Ceremony of Presenting 600mm-Calibre Multiple Rocket Launchers Held in DPRK. 2026-02-20. Korean Central News Agency.
  25. Web site: 2021-09-15. Vann H. Van Diepen . Initial Analysis of North Korea's “New Type Long-Range Cruise Missile” . 2025-06-06 . 38 North. .
  26. Web site: 2023-03-01. Vann H. Van Diepen . North Korea Launches Four “Hwasal-2” LACMs to Show Strong Deterrence and Rapid Response . 2025-06-06 . 38 North.
  27. Web site: The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database. 2025-01-03. Nuclear Threat Initiative.
  28. Web site: Huyền Chi. 2019-10-25. Vén màn bí ẩn: Mẫu tên lửa KN-23 và KN-25 MLRS của Triều Tiên. Mystery unveiling: North Korea's KN-23 missile and KN-25 MLRS. 2025-12-01. VietTimes. vi.
  29. Web site: 2019-08-03. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Guides Again Test-Fire of New-type Large-caliber Multiple Launch Guided Rocket System. 2026-02-28. Korean Central News Agency.
  30. Web site: 2019-11-29. Quốc tế phản ứng việc Triều Tiên thử tên lửa từ bệ phóng siêu lớn. Worldwide reactions about North Korean missile launch from super-large launcher. 2026-02-16. Laocai TV. Lao Cai Radio and Television. vi. 2019-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205150208/http://laocaitv.vn/tin-quoc-te/quoc-te-phan-ung-viec-trieu-tien-thu-ten-lua-tu-be-phong-sieu-lon. dead.
  31. Web site: 2020-03-03. Lãnh đạo Triều Tiên Kim Jong-un thị sát cuộc diễn tập pháo binh tầm xa. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises long-range artillery drill. 2026-02-16. Bắc Ninh TV. Bac Ninh Newspaper and Radio – Television. vi.
  32. Web site: 2020-03-08. Hàn Quốc: Triều Tiên phóng 3 tên lửa tầm ngắn để thử nghiệm vũ khí mới. South Korea: North Korea launched three short-range missiles to test new weapon. 2026-02-16. Bắc Ninh TV. Bac Ninh Newspaper and Radio – Television. vi.
  33. Web site: 2020-03-30. Test-Fire of Super-large Multiple Rocket Launchers Conducted in DPRK. 2026-02-16. Korean Central News Agency.
  34. Web site: 10 October 2022. Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Military Drills of KPA Units for Operation of Tactical Nukes. 2025-06-20. Korean Central News Agency.
  35. Web site: 7 March 2023 . S/2023/171 . United Nations Security Council. 185. 2025-06-20.
  36. Web site: JSF. 2022-11-07. ja:北朝鮮が11月2日～5日のミサイル大量発射を報告. North Korea reports numerous missile launches from 2 to 5 November. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/5652fd5b89ecf5d0d90bf6514f8957cb6b282c0f. Yahoo News Japan. 2025-09-17. ja.
  37. Web site: Test-fire of Super-large Multiple Rocket Launchers Held . 2025-06-20 . Korean Central News Agency. 2023-01-01.
  38. Web site: Minh Phương. 2023-01-01. Triều Tiên thông tin về các vụ phóng tên lửa đa nòng siêu lớn. North Korea released information about launches from super-large MLRS. 2026-01-05. Truyền hình Thanh Hóa. Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio, Television. vi.
  39. Web site: 2023-01-01. Triều Tiên bắn tên lửa vào ngày đầu năm mới. North Korea fires missiles on New Year's Day. 2026-02-28. Langson Radio & Television. vi.
  40. Web site: Multiple Rocket Launching Drill by KPA. 2025-06-20 . Korean Central News Agency. 2023-02-20.
  41. Web site: Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Firing Drill of Artillery Units in Western Area. 2025-06-20 . Korean Central News Agency. 2024-03-19.
  42. Web site: Report on Participation of 600 mm Super-large Multiple Rocket Sub-units in First Combined Tactical Drill Simulating Nuclear Counterattack - Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Combined Tactical Drill Simulating Nuclear Counterattack. 2025-06-20 . Korean Central News Agency. 2024-04-23.
  43. Web site: Report on Power Demonstration Firing of 600mm Super-large Multiple Rocket Launcher Sub-Units - Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Oversees Power Demonstration Firing. 2025-06-20 . Korean Central News Agency. 2024-05-31.
  44. Web site: Đức Hoàng. Triều Tiên phóng 18 tên lửa cảnh báo Hàn Quốc về nguy cơ "tấn công phủ đầu". North Korea fires 18 missiles, warning South Korea of 'preemptive strike'. 2025-08-23 . Báo Dân trí. 2024-05-31. vi.
  45. Web site: Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Oversees Test-fire for Verifying Performance of New-type 600mm Multiple Rocket Launcher. 2025-06-20 . Korean Central News Agency. 2024-09-13.
  46. Web site: Colin Zwirko. 2025-05-09. North Korean missile test simulates nuclear attack on US-ROK forces: State media. 2025-06-20. NK News. limited.
  47. Web site: 9 May 2025. Joint Striking Drill of Long-range Artillery and Missile Systems of Sub-units of KPA on Eastern Front Conducted. 2025-06-20. Korean Central News Agency.
  48. Web site: Vann H. Van Diepen. 2025-07-31. North Korea Continues to Improve Nuclear Posture . 2025-08-30. 38 North.
  49. Web site: 2026-01-28. DPRK Missile Administration Test-fires Large-caliber MRLS. 2026-01-28. Korean Central News Agency.
  50. Web site: Sohini Mandal. 2026-01-28. North Korea tests ‘upgraded' large-calibre rocket launcher. 2026-01-28. Janes Information Services. subscription.
  51. Web site: Ngọc Thi. 2026-01-28. Ông Kim Jong-un gửi thông điệp phát triển kho vũ khí hạt nhân trước thềm đại hội Đảng. Kim Jong Un sends message about nuclear weapons development ahead of WPK congress. 2026-01-28. VOH Online. Ho Chi Minh City Radio and Television. vi.
  52. Web site: Thảo Nguyên. 2026-01-30. Triều Tiên thử nghiệm hệ thống phóng tên lửa đa nòng cỡ lớn. North Korea tests large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system. 2026-01-31. THVL. Vĩnh Long Newspaper and Radio, Television. vi.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "KN-25".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2026, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.