North Korea Expands Missile Production Facility, Supplying Short-Range Missiles to Russia

North Korea is expanding a key missile production facility that manufactures short-range missiles, which are reportedly being supplied to Moscow, according to Reuters on November 25.

The February 11 Plant, located in Hamhung, is part of the Renson machine-building complex and is the only known site producing solid-fuel Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles.

Satellite imagery analyzed by CNS researchers from early October, provided by commercial satellite company Planet Labs, reveals the construction of an additional assembly building as well as a new housing complex likely intended for workers at the facility.

Furthermore, it appears North Korea is also upgrading the entrances to some of the underground parts of the complex.

Sam Lear, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, noted that the removal of a previously abandoned crane and other upgrades suggest North Korea is ramping up production capacity. The new assembly building is roughly 60-70% smaller than the previous one used for missile assembly.

Lear added that previous state media footage had shown the facility manufacturing everything from tank wheels to missile engine casings.

Experts believe North Korea’s KN-23 missiles, which can fly on a low trajectory to evade missile defenses, are valuable to Russia in bypassing Ukraine's air defenses. Russia has launched thousands of missiles against Ukraine since the invasion, and relying on North Korea for additional supplies could ease the strain on Russian production.

Additionally, researchers from SI Analytics, a South Korean satellite analysis firm, confirmed the new construction, noting that some buildings are likely designed to shield future activities at the factory from satellite observation.

It’s been previously reported that Russia supplied North Korea with anti-aircraft missiles and other air defense equipment in exchange for North Korean troop deployment in Russia, according to a senior South Korean official.