2024-05-12 11:36:59
North Korea will equip its armed forces with new 240mm multiple rocket launcher systems this year, state media said on Saturday, announcing a “significant change” in the combat capabilities of its artillery.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a live-fire test of this “technically updated” rocket system on Friday, the official KCNA press agency reported.
In February, Pyongyang state media announced the development of a new control system for its 240 mm rocket launchers that would imply a “qualitative change” in its defense capabilities.
These improved systems “will be deployed for units of the Korean People’s Army (…) from 2024 to 2026,” the KCNA agency said this Saturday.
Images released by official media show Kim chatting with army officers during an inspection of the rocket launcher.
The official agency also reported that “a significant change will soon be made to improve the combat capabilities of the army’s artillery,” but did not offer further details.
Analysts in this secretive country believe that Pyongyang is increasing production and testing of cruise and artillery missiles to sell them to Russia, which needs these weapons in its war against Ukraine.
Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened their military cooperation since a summit last year between Kim and Vladimir Putin in Russia’s Far East.
The United States and North Korea have accused North Korea of ​​supplying weapons to Russia, although sanctions implemented by the UN prohibit these transfers.