North tests powerful missile engine. Will an ICBM launch follow?

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a test of a solid-fuel rocket engine at an undisclosed location in the country.

Photo: KCNA via KNS/AFP North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a test of a high-thrust solid-fuel engine for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching targets around the globe, touting the development as elevating the country’s “strategic military power to the highest level”, state media said on Sunday.

The test of the engine made of composite carbon fibre material produced a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons, up from 1,971 kilonewtons recorded during a similar experiment last September, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

Kim said the latest trial “fully conforms with the national strategy and the military demand for modernising the strategic forces”, pledging to further accelerate Pyongyang’s defence capabilities by introducing “better components with superior economic and technical effectiveness, as proven in the test”.

The new engine, which has the thrust to lift a 255-tonne object, is likely to be installed on the Hwasong-20 ICBM, according to observers. “If confirmed, this engine would rank among the top globally,” said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

He said the US Peacekeeper missile engine has been among the most powerful solid-fuel ICBMs, capable of carrying up to 10 multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs). “Given that global strike capability has already been achieved in terms of range, we must view this as ultimately having MIRVs in mind,” he said. “The North needs a high-thrust solid-fuel engine to advance its project to develop ICBMs capable of disrupting American missile defence networks through MIRVs.” Hong said the engine’s carbon fibre casing and high-durability materials allow Pyongyang to reduce missile weight, a major factor in developing MIRV capabilities.

Shin Jong-woo, secretary general of the Korea Defence and Security Forum, said the engine appears to have a diameter wider than two metres and more thrust than the one used in the Hwasong-19.

Citing past precedents, he said an ICBM launch is likely to follow the engine test.

He added that North Korea’s frequent missile development revelations signalled defiance against US military operations and geopolitical tensions.

Yu Ji-hoon, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses, said the test showed North Korea’s intent to strengthen i

原文链接: 南华早报