| Country: |
South Korea |
| Alternate Name: |
Hyon Mu; Nike-Hercules variant |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Surface based |
| Length: |
12.20 m |
| Diameter: |
0.54 m |
| Launch Weight: |
4900 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead |
| Warhead: |
HE |
| Propulsion: |
Single stage-solid |
| Range: |
180 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
~1980 |
Details
The NHK-1 was developed by South Korea in 1975 as a short-range ballistic missile aimed at countering the ballistic missile threat from North Korea. It was based off of the US Nike-Hercules Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) and had a range limited to 150 km (93 miles). The NHK-2 was developed as a variant of the NHK-1 in 1983, incorporating improved technology. The NHK-2 has an extended range of 180 km (112 miles), though this can be easily extended to 250 km (155 miles) at the cost of breaking a US-South Korea 1979 agreement. An unconfirmed report states that the NHK-A was designed to achieve this increased range, but was never developed.
It is reported that in 1999 a modified NHK-2 or NHK-A was test launched a distance of 40 km (25 miles) but had the capability to reach 300 km (186 miles). This fits an agreement made in 1999 to extend South Korea’s maximum missile range to 300 km (186 miles), a range sufficient to strike key North Korean cities, including Pyongyang. This provides South Korea with the ability to launch strikes against the capital of North Korea, providing deterrence against a North Korean attack at Seoul. The existence of a powerful South Korean deterrent could be valuable to prevent North Korean communist aggression.
The NHK-2 has a range of 180 km (112 miles), the maximum range for ballistic missiles by the 1979 US-South Korean agreement, with a warhead of 500 kg. It has a launch weight of 5,400 kg. In 2006 it was reported that North Korea will keep the missile in service until 2010.(1)
Footnotes
- Wyn Bowen, Tim McCarthy, and Holly Porteous, “Ballistic Missile Shadow Lengthens,” Jane’s International Defence Review, 1 January 1997; Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 100-101.
Yomiuri Shimbun: New Threat Calls for New Defense Initiative
October 11, 2006 :: Yomiuri Shimbun :: News
The Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun suggests that North Korea’s nuclear test will lead to calls for a new Japanese defense initiative, including increased missile defense and perhaps a preemptive strike capability. It notes that North Korea has deployed about 200 No-dong missiles capable of striking most of the Japanese archipelago, and has tested them as recently as July 2006. Although most experts believe that North Korea remains unable to develop nuclear warheads small enough to be carried by these missiles, the Yomiuri Shimbun points out that the relatively small seismic waves observed after the recent nuclear test may indicate that North Korea is trying to decrease the size its nuclear bombs. The paper suggests that calls for the “early development of missile defense” and “ability to attack missile bases in North Korea preemptively” are likely to gain strength in coming months. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Nuclear Weapons, North Korea, Japan
» Missile details: No-dong 1, NHK-1/2
» Missile system details for: Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense
New Activity Reported at North Korean Missile Bases
July 11, 2006 :: AFP :: News
U.S. and Japanese satellite photographs have detected new activity at a North Korean missile base, reports the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun. The photographs showed medium-range No-Dong missiles being set up on launch pads at a base in southeastern North Korea, as well as fuel tanks located near the launch pads. The missiles were later removed, according to the same report. On Sunday, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso also said that there were “visible signs” of missile activity near a North Korean base, presumably the same one. The new activity comes shortly after North Korea test launched as many as twelve missiles last week, including a long-range Taep’o-dong 2. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea
» Missile details: NHK-1/2, No-dong 1
Seoul Downplays North Korean Test, Draws Domestic Criticism
July 10, 2006 :: The Chosun Ilbo (S. Korea) :: News
In recent days, the South Korean government has attempted to downplay the significance of North Korea’s recent missile tests. Lee Baek-man, public relations secretary to South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun, yesterday issued a statement saying that North Korea’s actions “should not be made into a national security crisis” even though some may try to make it so “for political motives.” The statement noted that the missiles launched by Pyongyang on Wednesday were “not designed to target anyone in particular,” and warned against “making a fuss like Japan.” Suh Choo-suk, the senior presidential secretary for security policy, attempted to clarify this statement by saying that President Roh is trying “not to exaggerate the security tensions the North’s missile launches have created in the eyes of the public.”
Two major South Korean dailies, Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo, however, have strongly criticized President Roh and his government for what they view as an extremely weak response to North Korea’s missile tests. Chosun Ilbo, the largest newspaper in the South Korea, referred to its government’s actions as “effectively disregarding the military threat altogether.” Some critics observed that such actions “fits in only too well with the government’s policy of not provoking the North at whatever cost.” Dong-A Ilbo noted that Pyongyang’s Nodong and Scud missiles, all of which are capable of striking South Korea with nuclear warheads, are more threatening to Seoul than to Washington or Toyko and therefore warrant a commensurate level of condemnation, which has not yet materialized. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, South Korea
» Missile details: NHK-1/2, Tien Ma 1
North Korea Fires Taepo-Dong 2, Five Short- and Medium-Range Missiles
July 5, 2006 :: Washington Times :: News
North Korea yesterday test-launched a long-range Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile, which broke up 42 seconds into its flight, and five short- to medium-range missiles, including one that landed near Russian territory. According to the Pentagon, the missiles were launched from “multiple locations” and there is a possibility that North Korea will conduct more test launches over the next few days. The Taep’o-dong 2, which is believed to have a range of approximately 15,000 km (9,300 m), broke apart 42 seconds after its launch for reasons as of yet unknown. The five shorter range Nodong and Scud missiles all landed in the Sea of Japan. All six launches were detected and tracked by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). No actions were taken by the U.S. military in response. The White House referred to the missile launches as “a clear provocation,” and said that North Korea’s decision to escalate its standoff with the international community will bring it further alienation. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: NHK-1/2, Scud B variant, Tien Ma 1
South Korea Deploys Short Range Missiles
November 5, 2004 :: East Asia Intel :: News
South Korea is reported to have deployed some 100 ballistic missiles to target strategic targets in North Korea, to deter its neighbor to the North. The missiles are identified as the Hyonmu, with an extended range of 300 kilometers. The Hyonmu (or Hyon Mu) is an upgraded version of an NHK missile, a surface-to-surface variant of the American Nike-Hercules surface-to-air missile. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Allies
» Missile details: NHK-1/2
North Korea Missile Talks with Iran
October 16, 2003 :: Geostrategy-Direct :: News
A “high-ranking official” from North Korea recently visited Iran to solicit interest in a version of the North Korean No-Dong missiles, according to Japan’s Sankei Shimbun. The No-Dongs have a range of about 650km. North Korea reportedly received 10 million dollars from Iraq for No-Dongs which were never delivered. (subscription required) (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Technology
» Missile details: NHK-1/2, No-dong 1
North Korea Expands Deployment of MRBM Ro-Dongs
July 18, 2003 :: Spacewar.com :: News
Seoul’s defense ministry has issued a report saying that North has “strengthened its long-range striking capability by recently deploying another battery of Rodong missiles.” The Ro-Dong missile has a range of 1300km, sufficient to reach Japan and the US base in Okinawa. The deployment mentioned in the report, which likely consists of nine additional missiles, is said to have taken place in June of 2002. (Article, Link)
» New Rodong-1 Deployment Confirmed
» More stories on: North Korea, Proliferation
» Missile details: NHK-1/2
