A good size comparison of North Korea's Hwasong-17 liquid-fuel ICBM [Left] and Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM [Right] pic.twitter.com/ouVgVYdxID
— Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) July 27, 2023
The missile’s dimensions and its flight trajectory data appear “nearly identical” to those of Russia’s Topol-M ICBM, says the report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
WASHINGTON — North Korea’s successful test launch on July 12 of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile equipped to penetrate U.S. missile defenses is most likely the result of technical cooperation sourced to Russia, according to a new think tank report first obtained by NBC News.
The Hwasong-18 missile’s physical dimensions and its flight trajectory data appear “nearly identical” to those at of Russia’s Topol-M ICBM, says the report, authored by Theodore A. Postol, a professor emeritus of science, technology and national security policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The report was written for Beyond Parallel, a project sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a defense think tank.
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WNU Editor: If reports that Russia is aiding North Korea's ICBM program are true, and I believe they are, this signals a major policy shift from the Kremlin. And what is that policy shift. That policy shift is Russia "horizontally" escalating its conflict against the U.S..
I also do not expect Russia is going to stop there. The Kremlin can cause a lot of headaches to Washington, and the list of what they can do is long (i.e. Syria, Africa, Cuba, etc.).
This has been my biggest fear since the beginning of the Ukraine war (aside from nuclear war), and to say that this is depressing to see is an understatement. But what is also troubling is the complete lack of any coverage or analysis from Western pundits and the media on this development.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies report is here .... The Transfer of a Russian ICBM to North Korea?
Update: My sources in China tell me that Beijing has signed off on this Kremlin transfer of ICBM tech and know-how to North Korea.
New Report Says Russia Is Helping North Korea In The Development Of Its ICBM Program
Kim Jong Un showed Russia his arsenal of nuclear weapons, the newest of which is among North Korea's most dangerous missiles -- Business Insider
Latest North Korean ICBM ignites new debate over possible Russian role -- Reuters
N.Korea's ICBM likely the result of Russian technical cooperation, CSIS reports -- NHK
North Korea's ICBM launch success likely due to Russia help: U.S. expert -- Kyodo News
North Korea's new ICBM looks and works an awful lot like a Russian ICBM, experts say -- Business Insider