Hypersonic Missiles
Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, inspected Russia’s hypersonic ‘Kinzhal’ missiles and strategic nuclear-capable bombers during his recent visit to the country’s Far East.
Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Russia’s Primorsky region, announced Kim’s arrival in Artyom, situated about 40km (25 miles) northeast of Vladivostok, on Saturday.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and other high-ranking military officials gave him a tour of Russia’s nuclear-capable strategic bombers and other warplanes upon his arrival in Artyom.
Shoigu introduced Kim to Russia’s latest missile, the hypersonic Kinzhal, which is capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads and boasts a reported range of 1,500 to 2,000 km (930-1,240 miles) while carrying a 480kg (1,100-pound) payload. The Kinzhal can reach speeds of up to 10 times the speed of sound (12,000 kph or 7,700 mph).
Additionally, Kim witnessed models of three strategic bombers – the Tu-160, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3 – aircraft that Russia regularly employs to launch missiles in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Shoigu informed Kim that one of the aircraft could fly from Moscow to Japan and back. Kim expressed interest in how to launch missiles from the aircraft, and a Russian official provided an explanation, emphasizing the crucial role of the strategic bombers in Russia’s nuclear forces.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that during his visit to the aircraft plant, Kim expressed admiration for Russia’s rapidly advancing aviation technologies, which he believed surpassed potential external threats.
On an elevated platform, Kim examined the cockpit of an Su-57 warplane and listened to its pilot while a video released by Russia’s cabinet captured the moment. He also displayed enthusiasm by clapping his hands when an Su-35 fighter jet landed after a demonstration flight.
Experts have suggested that potential military collaboration between Russia and North Korea, following Kim’s visit, could involve efforts to modernize North Korea’s outdated air force, which relies on warplanes supplied by the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Later on Saturday, Kim was scheduled to visit Russian naval ships in Vladivostok.
During their meeting on Wednesday, Putin and Kim discussed military matters, the war in Ukraine, and strengthening cooperation. However, Putin emphasized that Moscow had no intention of violating existing sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations.
