Hwasong-11E
The Hwasong-11E is a North Korean short-range or medium-range ballistic missile. First revealed on 4 October 2025 during a military exhibition, the Hwasong-11E is an evolution of Hwasong-11 family of short-range ballistic missile with hypersonic glide vehicle. The first confirmed launch was on 4 January 2026, although there was an alleged flight test on 22 October 2025.
Description
The Hwasong-11E appears to use the same booster and five-axle TEL as Hwasong-11C, the larger variant of Hwasong-11A. Like the other road-mobile variants of Hwasong-11A, the Hwasong-11E's TEL can carry two missiles. Open-source assessments indicate that the Hwasong-11E's length and diameter are estimated to be and respectively, while its launch mass is also judged to be.The missile features a hypersonic glide vehicle, which has small control fins and a lift-generating body. It is identical to other wedge-shaped similar vehicles mounted on other ballistic missiles that North Korea has tested before, such as Hwasong-8 and Hwasong-16B. Its range is estimated to be from, which is the range of a short-range ballistic missile, to, making Hwasong-11E to be a medium-range ballistic missile.
The Hwasong-11E may bring North Korea additional hypersonic-speed strike capability for use against South Korea's better-protected targets, including airfields, command centers and weapons storage facilities. According to South Korean media, as the Hwasong-11E's warhead may reach a speed of over and fly at low altitude, it's capable of evading the air defense systems of the United States and South Korea.
It is possible that North Korea developed Hwasong-11E based on Hwasong-11A's combat performance in Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to North Korean official Pak Jong-chon, Hwasong-11E is a new weapon system that have a "new strategic value", reflecting the development of North Korean defense industry. Given North Korea's tactical missile production capacity is one of the largest in the world, the research and development cycle of the Hwasong-11E can be shortened and the missile may enter mass production.
History
During the military exhibition "Defence Development-2025" held on 4 October 2025, North Korea unveiled Hwasong-11E. It was showcased along with other weapons, including Hwasong-18, Hwasong-19, supersonic cruise missiles and anti-submarine missiles. Several days later, on 10 October 2025, North Korea displayed the missile during a military parade.An alleged test-fire occurred on 22 October 2025. Later, a confirmed test-fire of Hwasong-11E was occurred on 4 January 2026.