HWASONG-8 SUCCESSFULLY TESTED BY NORTH KOREA

HWASONG-8 SUCCESSFULLY TESTED BY NORTH KOREA

Context:

On September 28, 2021, North Korea successfully tested a new hypersonic missile called Hwasong-8 in a bid to increase the nation’s capabilities for self-defence.

About the Missile:

• It was one of the 5 most important new weapons systems laid out by North Korea in the five-year military development plan.
• This was the country’s 3rd missile test in a month.
• Earlier it tested a new type of cruise missile, as well as a new train-launched ballistic missile system.

Significance of the Launch:

• North Korea has joined a small pool of countries, including Russia, the United States, China and India to develop the weapons.
• In July, Russia announced that it had successfully launched a hypersonic missile that reached a speed of 8659.88km/h (5381mph) from a frigate in the White Sea.

Hypersonic missiles:

• These are much faster and more agile than normal ones, making them much harder for missile defence systems to intercept.
• These are the latest warfare technologies being developed by military powers such as China, Russia and the United States.