Hwasong-20

Hwasong-20
TypeIntercontinental ballistic missile
Place of originNorth Korea
Service history
In serviceUnder development
Production history
Designed2025
ManufacturerNorth Korea
Specifications
WarheadNuclear warhead
MIRV-capable
EngineSolid-fueled engine
  • Original: 1,960–1,971 kN (199.9–201.0 tf)
  • Upgraded: 2,500 kN (250 tf)
Operational
range
Estimated: 15,000 km (9,300 mi)
Maximum speedMach 22 (27,000 km/h; 16,700 mph)
Guidance
system
Inertial guidance system
AccuracyEstimated: 3–5 km (1.9–3.1 mi)
Launch
platform
11-axle TEL

The Hwasong-20[a] (Korean: 《화성포-20》형; lit. 'Mars Artillery Type 20') is a North Korean solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). First revealed in September 2025 at a press report, Hwasong-20 is considered by North Korean state media as "the most powerful nuclear strategic weapon". Its first appearance was on 10 October 2025, during a military parade.

Description

Images of the Hwasong-20
image icon The missile and TEL in the "Defense Development-2025" military exhibition
image icon The TEL in the October 2025 parade

Missile

The Hwasong-20 is officially called "next-generation" ICBM by the state-owned Korean Central News Agency.[2] Although detailed specifications remain little known,[3] Hwasong-20 is assessed to be a three-stage, solid-fueled missile, estimated to have a wider body diameter than Hwasong-19.[4] It is mobile, hard to detect and can be launched at short notice.[5]

With an estimated operational range of 15,000 km (9,300 mi), Hwasong-20 can theoretically reach all territories of the United States.[6] However, a Korean Central Television commentator claims Hwasong-20 to have a "limitless" range.[7] The missile's maximum speed is estimated to be Mach 22 (27,000 km/h; 16,700 mph), meaning Hwasong-20 can reach cities within the contiguous United States between 25 and 40 minutes.[8] It also features a blunt warhead,[9] suggesting the missile is MIRV-capable, capable of evading United States's missile defenses.[10][11] The estimated payload mass is more than two metric tonnes, including a possible number of six to eight re-entry vehicles,[12] which appears to be higher than Hwasong-19.[13]

The missile uses an advanced guidance system, combining inertial guidance system (INS) with GPS or optical sensors to increase accuracy,[14] with an estimated circular error probable of 3–5 km (1.9–3.1 mi).[15] South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff alleges that North Korea may have received Russian technology assistance and support to develop Hwasong-20.[16][17]

According to a 2025 publication by Vann H. Van Diepen in 38 North, it is possible that Hwasong-20 is an up-named variant of Hwasong-19 for political or propaganda purposes.[18]

Engine

North Korean press releases indicate that Hwasong-20 will use a 1,960–1,971 kN (199.9–201.0 tf)-thrust solid-fueled engine.[19] It is manufactured using carbon fiber composite and has about 40 percent more thrust than the Hwasong-18. Analysts allege that this engine can be modified to be used for reconnaissance satellite launches.[20]

Hwasong-20 may also have an upgraded version with a 2,500 kN (250 tf)-thrust engine, revealed in late-March 2026 by North Korean state media without citing exact date of ground-testing.[21]

Launch vehicle

Like the Hwasong-19, Hwasong-20 uses a 11-axle TEL. However, images show the missile canister has a blunter nose cap than its predecessor's counterpart, and the lifting arms also apparently locate under the canister, instead of the vehicle's side.[18]

History

North Korea first mentioned Hwasong-20 on 2 September 2025 at a press report.[18][22] According to North Korean state media, between 2023 and 2 September 2025, the Hwasong-20's engine underwent eight static firing tests.[2] This is the first time North Korea has revealed details of a new ICBM under development.[23]

Later, on 8 September 2025, the Missile Administration and the Academy of Chemical Materials conducted the ninth and last ground test of this engine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test.[24][25] According to North Korean state media, the engine produced a thrust of 1,971 kN (201.0 tf).[26][27] This engine test suggested the launch of Hwasong-20 may take place soon.[28]

Hwasong-20 made its public debut on 10 October 2025, during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.[3][29] In this parade, North Korea called Hwasong-20 the "most powerful nuclear strategic weapon". At least three missiles were mounted on 11-axle launchers.[30][31][32] It is possible that these missiles were mock-ups, as North Korea's MIRV technology has not been verified.[15]

After the 10 October 2025 military parade, it was revealed that the Hwasong-20 was displayed during the "Defense Development-2025" military exhibition, opened on 4 October 2025. Originally, the missile and its associated TEL were assessed to be Hwasong-19.[18]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Officially called Hwasongpho-20.[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Military Parade Marks 80th Founding Anniversary of WPK". Korean Central News Agency. 11 October 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026. The spectators broke into the most enthusiastic cheers when the column of Hwasongpho-20 ICBMs, the most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system of the DPRK, entered the square, filling the track.
  2. 1 2 "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Learns about Composite Carbon Fiber Material Production Process and Production of High-thrust Missile Engine". Korean Central News Agency. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 Irianto, Widodo; Wicaksono, Ronny; Saqi Futaki, Sofyan (12 October 2025). "Ini Dia Wujud Rudal Balistik Antar Benua Baru Milik Korut yang Bisa Jangkau Daratan AS" [This is new ICBM of North Korea that can reach the US mainland]. TIMES Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  4. ↑ Đào Cảnh (16 March 2026). "Tên lửa Hwasong-20 tầm bắn 15.000km, công nghệ MIRV, 'xóa sổ' mọi mục tiêu" [Hwasong-20 missile with 15,000 km range, MIRV technology, destroying all targets]. VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  5. ↑ Park, Chan-kyong (11 October 2025). "North Korea unveils 'most powerful nuclear strategic weapon' capable of reaching all of US". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 11 October 2025. The solid-fuel Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missiles are mobile, difficult to detect and ready to be launched at short notice.
  6. ↑ Đào Cảnh (15 September 2025). "Tên lửa Hwasong-20 tầm bắn 15.000km, công nghệ MIRV, thay đổi cuộc chơi quân sự toàn cầu" [Hwasong-20 missile with range of 15,000km, MIRV technology, changing the global military game]. VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  7. ↑ Kwak, Hee-yang (12 October 2025). 베일 벗은 ‘화성-20형’…북 “타격 사정권 한계 없다” [The Hwasong-20 missile is unveiled... North Korea claims its strike range is "limitless"]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Huỳnh Dũng (19 March 2026). "Giải mã sức mạnh Tên lửa Hwasong-20 của Triều Tiên: Công nghệ đặc biệt khiến việc đánh chặn trở nên khó hơn bao giờ hết" [Decoding the power of North Korea's Hwasong-20 missile: Special technology makes interception harder than ever]. Dân Việt (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "[News Today] 'Hwasong-20' ICBM features a blunt warhead". KBS News. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Lee, Yu-jeong; Shim, Seok-yong (12 October 2025). 북 “최강 핵무기” 화성 20형 공개…극초음속미사일도 내놨다 [North Korea unveils Hwasong-20, its "most powerful nuclear weapon", and also unveils a hypersonic missile]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  11. ↑ Thành Vinh (8 January 2026). "Giải mã Hwasong-20: Thế hệ tên lửa xuyên lục địa mới nhất của Triều Tiên" [Decoding the Hwasong-20: North Korea's latest ICBM generation]. Báo Nghệ An (in Vietnamese). Nghe An Newspaper and Radio, Television. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  12. ↑ Đào Cảnh (17 March 2026). "Tên lửa Minuteman III tốc độ Mach 23 'so găng' Hwasong-20 tầm bắn 15.000km, thế giới 'nín thở'" [Minuteman III missile with Mach 23 speed 'fight' with 15.000 km-range Hwasong-20, making the world nervous]. VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  13. ↑ Yun, Sang-ho (13 October 2025). "Hwasong-20 ICBM revealed at North Korea parade". The Dong-A Ilbo. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  14. ↑ Đào Cảnh (11 October 2025). "Tên lửa Hwasong-20 AI tầm bắn 15.000km, công nghệ hạt nhân đỉnh cao, 'thay đổi quân sự toàn cầu'" [Hwasong-20 missile with AI technology, 15,000 km range, advanced nuclear technology, 'changing global military']. VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  15. 1 2 Thu Thủy (11 October 2025). "Giải mã tên lửa đạn đạo liên lục địa mới Hwasong-20 Triều Tiên ra mắt trong lễ duyệt binh" [Decoding North Korea's new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile unveiled at military parade]. VietTimes (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  16. ↑ Hà Đào (14 October 2025). "Hàn Quốc nghi Nga giúp Triều Tiên phát triển siêu tên lửa Hwasong-20" [South Korea alleges Russia to help North Korea developing Hwasong-20]. Tuổi Trẻ (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  17. ↑ "JCS Chief: Russia Could Have Provided Technical Support for N. Korea's New Hwasong-20 ICBM". KBS World. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Van Diepen, Vann H. (4 November 2025). "It Is Autumn in North Korea, and the Missiles Are Changing. Are They Past Peak?". 38 North. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  19. ↑ Van Diepen, Vann H. (15 October 2025). "Future Missile/Space Developments Presaged; WMD Possession Underscored". 38 North. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  20. ↑ "Triều Tiên có bước ngoặt trong chương trình phát triển tên lửa?" [Is North Korea has a turning point in its missile development program?]. Langson Radio & Television (in Vietnamese). Lang Son Newspaper and Radio, Television. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  21. ↑ ""คิม จองอึน" คุมทดสอบเครื่องยนต์ขีปนาวุธแรงสูงรุ่นใหม่ เร่งยกระดับศักยภาพโจมตี" [Kim Jong Un oversees testing of new high-thrust missile engine, accelerating the upgrading of attack capabilities]. Thairath (in Thai). 30 March 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  22. ↑ Zwirko, Colin (2 September 2025). "North Korea announces new Hwasong-20 nuclear missile as Kim arrives in China". NK News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  23. ↑ "Triều Tiên dần tiết lộ đang phát triển tên lửa xuyên lục địa thế hệ mới" [North Korea is gradually revealing the development of new generation ICBM]. Langson Radio & Television (in Vietnamese). Lang Son Newspaper and Radio, Television. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  24. ↑ "DPRK Missile Administration Conducts Ground Jet Test of Carbon Fiber Solid-fuel Engine". Korean Central News Agency. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  25. ↑ Park, Boram (9 September 2025). "(LEAD) N. Korea's Kim oversees test of high-thrust, solid-fuel carbon fiber missile engine: KCNA". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  26. ↑ Kim, Tong-hyung (9 September 2025). "North Korea conducts its final ground test of a solid-fuel engine for long-range missiles". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  27. ↑ "North Korea's Kim heralds new ICBM rocket engine test as 'significant'". Al Jazeera. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  28. ↑ Zwirko, Colin (9 September 2025). "North Korea conducts engine test for new long-range nuclear missile". NK News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  29. ↑ "БНАСАУ цэргийн парадад хамгийн сүүлийн үеийн тив алгасагч "Хвасон-20" пуужингаа үзүүлэв" [North Korea displays latest ICBM Hwasong-20 at military parade]. Mongolian National Broadcaster (in Mongolian). 12 October 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  30. ↑ Kim, Soo-yeon (11 October 2025). "N. Korea rolls out new Hwasong-20 ICBM at military parade to mark party anniv". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  31. ↑ Lee, Joyce; Smith, Josh (11 October 2025). "North Korea holds military parade, shows off new intercontinental missile". Reuters. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  32. ↑ Kim, Tong-hyung; Kim, Hyung-jin (11 October 2025). "North Korea displays new long-range missile at a military parade celebrating Kim Jong Un". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved 4 February 2026. The parade saw the debut of the massive Hwasong-20, with at least three of them wheeled out on 11-axle launcher trucks.
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