| Country: |
North Korea |
| Associated Country: |
People's Republic of China |
| Alternate Name: |
Moksong 2, Pekdosan 2 |
| Class: |
ICBM |
| Basing: |
Surface based |
| Length: |
35.00 m |
| Diameter: |
2.10 m |
| Launch Weight: |
64000 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead |
| Warhead: |
750 kg; Nuclear, biological, chemical, HE |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage liquid, possible third |
| Range: |
6000-9000 km |
| Status: |
Development |
| In Service: |
Exp. 2007 |
Details
The Taep’o-dong 2 is an intercontinental-range, road mobile, liquid propellant ballistic missile. It is currently North Korea’s only true ICBM. Today, this missile represents the single greatest nuclear threat to the United States. While the missile has very limited accuracy, it is thought to be target at major US population centers in both Alaska and Hawaii, and perhaps even as far as California.
The Taep’o-dong 2’s major use is as a weapon of international blackmail. Easily equipped with a nuclear weapon, it is the first direct threat to the United States from North Korea. It will likely be used as a threat of nuclear escalation in response to any American intervention during a second Korean war. Just as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Lt. Gen. Xiong Guang Kai stated that Americans “care more about Los Angeles than they do Tai Pei,” North Korea will likely rely on American unwillingness to lose cities rather than withdraw from Korea. In addition, it will likely be used to blackmail wealthier countries for energy and food, similar to how the North Korean nuclear program has been used. It is also a major income generator as an item for export.
In 2003, following talks with the US North Korea agreed to stop testing until the end of 2003. In May 2006 North Korea rebuilt the Musudan-ri test site after a fire. In July 2006 the Taep'o-dong 2 was tested; the test was a failure. Initial production may have started in 2005. A South Korean reported stated that 20 missiles were built in 2006. It is possible that the missile will be deployed sometime in 2007.
The missile is thought to have two liquid propellant stages. The PRC’s DF-3 (described separately) is believed to be the basis for the first stage of North Korea’s ICBM. If so, the North Koreans owe much of their missiles technology to their Communist allies. The second stage is thought to be similar to the older Korean No-dong missiles.
The missile is 35.0 m in length, has a diameter of 2.1 m/1.32 m (first/second stage), a launch weight of 64,000 kg and its payload is equipped with a single warhead. Its range is thought to be at least 6,000 km (3,728 miles) and the Russians estimate it to be closer to 9,000 km (5,592 miles). The accuracy is unknown, but probably extremely poor.
The development of the Taep’o-dong 2 is estimated to have begun at the same time as the Taep’o-dong 1, in 1990. Pakistan and Iran have been receiving technical assistance on their missile projects that are derivatives of the Taep’o-dong 2 project. Iran’s Shahab-5/6 owes much to this North Korean design. It was reported that in 2004, North Korea put the missile up for sale to a number of Middle Eastern countries, Iran being one of them.
Reports also suggest that North Korea may be developing a third stage for the Taep’o-dong 2, to develop either an increased range or a space launch capability. If true, this would increase the ability of North Korea to hit US targets, perhaps to a distance as far as Chicago.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 99-100.
Russia Details Future Ballistic Missile Deployments
August 18, 2006 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
Russia has revealed more details of its State Armament Program outlining ballistic missile deployments through 2015, reports the October 1 issue of Jane’s Missiles and Rockets. Speaking at a meeting of defense enterprise heads in the Volgograd region, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov stated that by 2015 the Strategic Missile Forces will receive 69 Topol-M (SS-27) intercontinental ballistic missiles and the Russian Army will receive 60 Iskander-M (SS-X-26) short-range ballistic missiles. The number of Topol-M missiles to be produced under the plan differs from the 50 cited in previous press reports, although Jane’s notes that it is uncertain whether this refers to increased production or includes missiles produced before the 2007 start of the State Armament Program. (Link)
» More stories on: Deployment, Russia
» Missile details: SS-N-6, Taep'o-dong 2
Ivanov: Russia to Purchase 69 Topol-M and 60 Iskander-M Missiles by 2015
July 13, 2006 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
Russia plans to purchase 69 silo-based and mobile Topol-M (SS-27) intercontinental ballistic missiles and 60 Iskander-M (SS-X-26) tactical ballistic missiles by 2015, according to its Defense Minister. Sergei Ivanov, speaking before Russian defense industry officials on Thursday, said that the new missiles will be used to equip five missiles brigades. Ivanov has said earlier that Russia’s total 2006 defense order would total approximately $9 billion and would increase by 20% to 11.2 billion in 2007. (Article, Link)
» Missile details: SS-N-6, Taep'o-dong 2
Interview: Ivanov on Chinese Relations, New Strategic Weapons
September 6, 2005 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov gave a rare television interview, for the “Vesti Podrobnosti” television program on the RTR network, discussing the recent joint military exercise with China, Russian military doctrine and policy, and long term plans for Russian strategic forces. Comments of particular interest included Ivanov’s discussion of the “geopolitical” significance of Russian military exercises with China: that the exercises represented a certain “certain qualitative shift” in relations, and that China is a “strategic partner.” Ivanov seemed to bristle at suggestions that Russia was out of line to engage in such exercises: “we are, excuse me, a sovereign state and did hold and will hold military exercises with whoever we like.”
But also of interest are his comments about Russia’s strategic nuclear forces. When asked by the interviewer about “new weapons” to be the “object of pride of the Russian armed forces,” Ivanov’s response seemed curious, and perhaps was directed less to the Russian television-watching public and more to the American defense community. Ivanov stressed in particular the importance of remarks made by President Putin “about a year ago” at the Russian launch facility at Plesetsk. The remarks referenced are likely those Putin made at Plesetsk in February 2004, in conjunction with Russia’s own, major, strategic wargames. Putin, Ivanov said, “was absolutely right when he said that every comma, every letter and every word in it had a particular significance. I still cannot expand on the matter but we are seriously working on the development of fundamentally different types of weapons, which will ensure for us reliable and guaranteed security after 60 years, after 70 years, easily.”
If it is this speech by Putin to which Ivanov referred, then he meant to underscore the revolutionary quality of the alleged maneuverable (perhaps hypersonic) warheads which could be launched by ballistic missiles, and which pose a major impediment to any American ballistic missile systems which are designed to intercept in the midcourse phase or later. Only a boost phase defense, which can destroy the launcher before it can release the maneuverable warhead or any decoys and countermeasures, could defend against such a threat. It is likely this ability in which Ivanov resides hope that Russia can maintain its offensive nuclear ability to strike the United States for the next 60 years, if the United States continues its decades-long delay of the deployment of strategic defenses.
Some excerpts from the Ivanov interview: (More »»»)
» February 8, 2005: Update on February 2004 test of maneuverable warhead
» More stories on: Maneuverable Warheads, Russia
» Missile details: SS-N-6, Taep'o-dong 2
Russian Crew Prepares to Operate Iskander-M System
July 15, 2005 :: Interfax :: News
Interfax-AVN reports that the first Russian battalion equipped with SS-26 Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile systems is nearly operational. According to the news service, the missile troops are currently completing their training at the Kapustin Yar test range (Astrakhan Region), and the missiles will soon be fielded in the Siberian Missile District. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2
Rademaker Reminds of North Korean Threat
December 18, 2004 :: Reuters :: News
Asst. Sec. of State for Arms Control Stephen Rademaker warned yesterday that North Korea could, at any time, fire a long range ballistic missile, its Taepo Dong II, capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to parts of the United States.
The reminder of the threat came at a speech for the American Foreign Policy Council, and days after an unsuccessful attempt to test the missile defense system being deployed in Alaska and California. The three stage missile, Rademaker said, “could deliver a several hundred kilogram payload up to 15,000 kilometers.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea
» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2
North Korea Tests Missile Engine
June 17, 2004 :: News
North Korea in May successfully tested a rocket engine for its long-range Taepo-Dong II missile, reports the Joongang Ilbo South Korean newspaper. The test was said to have taken place in early May, at the Musudan missile complex, in the North Hamgyong province some 120 miles from the Russian border. The paper cited “multiple” diplomatic sources. The Taepo Dong II has been long believed to have a range sufficient to hit Alaska and the Western United States. North Korea is believed to have unsuccessfully tested a missile engine at the same, Musudan missile test site in December of 2002, when the engine failed and destroyed a missile launch pad and other parts of the site. (Article, Link)
» East Asia Intel report of North Korean missile engine test
» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2
North Korea Set to Test Missile Engines
May 6, 2004 :: Spacewar.com :: News
Amidst global attention to Iraq prison scandals, there has been a flurry of news regarding North Korean missiles.
Most recent is a report that the small communist nation is preparing to test for the first time engines probably for the Taepo Dong II intercontinental ballistic missile, reports from the JoongAng South Korean newspaper. An unnamed official is quoted as observing that “We have confirmed that they have moved the crane that would hoist the oxidizer — the liquid fuel of the missile — and the rocket.”
The Taepo Dong I missile of a shorter range was launched over Japan in 1998. The two stage version of the Taepo-Dong II is believed to use a Chinese liquid fuel engine for its first stage, and the North Korean Rodoing missile as its second stage. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2
North Korean Taepo-Dong II Now For Sale
May 5, 2004 :: Worldtribune.com :: News
Quoting “western intelligence sources,” worldtribune.com reports that North Korea has begun to offer its long-range Taepo-Dong II for sale to several middle eastern nations.
The news comes just days after other reports that North Korea is building new missile bases, developing new missiles, has “at least” eight nuclear weapons, and, ironically enough, that Kim Jong Il pledged to the United States that he would not transfer ballistic missiles to terrorists. The sale of missiles is, however, North Korea’s primary source of revenue.
Likely buyers include another rogue state and state sponsor of terrorism, Iran, which has apparently been negotiating a purchase with Pyongyang. Worldtribune’s source says that 2003 negotiations for the purchase of the Taepo-Dong by Syria and Libya apparently were not pursued, but that Iran was considering the Taepo-Dong as a possible basis for the its ICBM program, the Shahab-5, the development of the engines for which China is also named as an aid.
Depending on the version of the Taepo-Dong II, the intercontinental missile has a range of 6000km or more. The three stage version of the missile has a range capable of striking the continental United States. (Article, Link)
» Dec. 14, 1999: North Korea Readies Taepo-Dong I missiles for sale to Iran
» Dec. 7, 1999: U.S. expects Iran will be North Korea’s first ICBM customer
» May 5, 2004: Middle East Newswire on Taepo Dong Market
» May 6, 2004: LA Times: North Korea “may” have missile to reach Guam
» More stories on: China, North Korea, Proliferation
» Missile details: Shahab-3, Taep'o-dong 2
Iskander Upgrades Designed to Outpace Patriot
October 14, 2003 :: Middle East Newsline :: News
One of Russia’s export ballistic missiles, the Iskander-E, which it has marketed to countries such as Syria and Iran, will soon be undergoing upgrades, although still in development. These upgrades are meant to permit the missile to overcome the US PAC-3 Patriot defensive system. The Iskander, also known as the SS-26, carries a single warhead of 480 to 700kg, and has a range of 280km. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia
» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
