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North Korea Kicks Off Mass Production of KN-25 Gigantic Hybrid Long-Range Artillery System
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
North Korea has begun large-scale production of its KN-25 long-range artillery system, one of the most powerful rocket launchers of its kind, according to a report by defense outlet Army Recognition on May 4.
The KN-25, a hybrid between a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) and a tactical ballistic missile, fires 600mm guided rockets capable of striking targets up to 380 kilometers away.
With both tracked and wheeled variants, the system offers North Korean forces unprecedented mobility and flexibility for quick deployment and repositioning.
Mounted on a tracked chassis with an armored cab and a rear launch system comprising two rows of three launcher tubes, the KN-25 is built for rugged terrain and high-speed operations.
A wheeled TEL (transporter-erector-launcher) variant carries four tubes and is optimized for road mobility. A third variant with five tubes has also been observed.
First unveiled in 2019 and initially described by North Korean media as a “super-large caliber multiple launch rocket system,” the KN-25 has undergone repeated tests, showing notable improvements in accuracy, salvo firing, and range.
Its inertial and potential satellite-based guidance systems reportedly allow for precision within tens of meters, enabling targeted strikes on critical military infrastructure including radar stations, airfields, and logistics hubs.
North Korea’s recent flight tests demonstrated the system’s reach and altitude. Two rockets were launched from the country’s eastern coast into the Sea of Japan, traveling about 380 kilometers and reaching altitudes of nearly 100 kilometers.
While the KN-25 is currently equipped with a high-explosive, non-nuclear warhead, North Korea announced in 2022 that it considers the system capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.
“The sheer size and capability of this weapon—600mm in caliber and approximately 8 meters in length—places it closer to operational-tactical missile systems than conventional MLRS platforms,” one analyst noted. With an estimated missile weight of nearly three tons, it is the largest rocket of its class in the world.
Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a tank production facility and announced what he described as “significant progress” in the development of domestically produced armored vehicles.
The tour included a detailed review of the latest version of the Chonma-2 main battle tank, labeled M2024, which reportedly features a redesigned turret, a new active protection system, and additional electronic upgrades.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
