North Korea successfully conducted a test of its new Hwasong-11E hypersonic missile, marking a new milestone in its short-range missile development program. The launch, which took place on October 23, was confirmed by state media and observed by several countries in the region, which identified two projectiles launched from the Ryokpho district in Pyongyang municipality toward the northeast.
According to information released by the South Korean Ministry of Defense and U.S. sources, both missiles are believed to have reached an estimated flight distance of approximately 350 km before striking the designated target area in Orang County, North Hamgyong Province. Meanwhile, North Korean state media described the test as a “technical and strategic success,” claiming that the new system will strengthen the country’s deterrence capabilities. Additionally, the state agency KCNA (Korean Central News Agency) reported: “The new weapons system was tested as part of the defense capability development program, with the aim of improving the sustainability and effectiveness of strategic deterrence against potential enemies.”
The Hwasong-11E, also referred to in some sources as the Hwasong-11Ma, represents the hypersonic variant of the Hwasong-11 missile family, a line of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles that includes earlier versions such as the Hwasong-11C and Hwasong-11Da, both operated by the North Korean Armed Forces. The new version was publicly unveiled during the Defense Development-2025 exhibition held in Pyongyang, where it was displayed mounted on a 10-wheeled launch vehicle capable of carrying two missiles ready for launch.
According to various analyses, the Hwasong-11E is believed to be powered by a solid-fuel engine and equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle, with an estimated range between 700 and 1,000 kilometers and a flight speed exceeding Mach 5. This combination would allow the missile to maneuver during its reentry phase, significantly reducing the likelihood of interception by conventional missile defense systems such as THAAD or Aegis BMD deployed in the region.
The test comes just weeks after North Korea publicly showcased a wide range of next-generation missiles and drones at the aforementioned defense exhibition in Pyongyang, which was also attended by military delegations from Russia and Iran. From a geopolitical standpoint, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) sources indicate that the development of the Hwasong-11E aims to strengthen North Korea’s short- and medium-range precision strike capabilities amid growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
Lastly, and no less importantly, the launch of the Hwasong-11E represents another chapter in the trend observed since early 2024, when North Korea increased the frequency and variety of its tactical missile tests, including modernized versions of the KN-23 and KN-24, with the objective of consolidating a flexible and dispersed response capability against joint exercises conducted by the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
Cover image used for illustrative purposes.
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