Hwasong-11S
The Hwasong-11S is a North Korean solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile. First displayed in October 2021 during a military exhibition, Hwasong-11S is the underwater-launched version of Hwasong-11A. Its first test-fire occurred on 19 October 2021, after the exhibition.
Description
Hwasong-11S is the underwater-launched variant of the Hwasong-11A. The missile is claimed to have a ground-based version that was first tested on 16 April 2022, later identified as Hwasong-11D. Its reported range is about. The estimated length and diameter are between and respectively. Hwasong-11S is capable of carrying the Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead. German analyst Norbert Brügge claimed the missile to be a modified version of Pukguksong-1 with two stages, a longer body and a longer warhead.Hwasong-11S utilizes a solid-fueled engine and a single-stage design with four bumps around the tail section. Four grid fins, which folded before launch, are located between the four bumps. After its maiden launch, it was determined that the bumps and grid fins were a part of the gas generator. The new missile also features improved control, such as "flank" and "gliding skip" mobilities.
Information from the 19 October 2021 launch suggests that the missile is fitted with a gas generator to cold launch out of the submarine's missile tube into the air, before the ignition of main engine. Compared to previous North Korean SLBMs like the Pukguksong-1 and its larger derivatives, it retains the depressed trajectory and manoeuvring flight characteristics of Hwasong-11A to try to evade missile defence systems. Since it is based on a missile with a shorter range than the Pukguksong-series, the submarine would need to get closer to its target in order to launch, leaving it more vulnerable to detection and destruction before it can be fired. Its development may be more of a political statement than an effort to create a viable weapon, as the test occurred weeks after South Korea tested their own Hyunmoo-2B's SLBM version, Hyunmoo 4-4, both of which are derived from the same Iskander design base. Such a small SLBM means more missiles can be stored on a submarine, enabling North Korea to counter their enemy's ballistic missile submarines.
Based on information and photos from the 25 September 2022 launch, it was determined that the missile was launched from a silo under a reservoir. However, it is likely the missile was fired from a submersible barge containing launch silos. It is unknown whether such a system will be pursued as a serious launch method, or if it was a demonstration of another capability to deter South Korean preemption strategies by adding another potential deployment method. It is possible that this lake-borne launcher is designed to be an operational weapon system.
History
North Korea first displayed Hwasong-11S in October 2021, during the "Self-Defence 2021" military exhibition without revealing its official name. In the exhibition, the missile was displayed beside two SLBMs: Pukguksong-1 and Pukguksong-5. Due to its small size compared to the Pukguksong-series SLBM, it was unofficially called as "small SLBM".About one week after the exhibition, on 19 October 2021, Hwasong-11S was first test-fired from the 8.24 Yongung experimental ballistic
missile submarine. Like the exhibition, North Korea chose to not reveal the missile's official designation. Several months later, eight Hwasong-11S missiles were displayed during the 25 April 2022 military parade without being named. Further test-fires occurred on 7 May 2022 and 25 September 2022, however, North Korea only confirmed the September 2022 test.
The missile's official name was revealed in the KCNA's report on the new Hwasan-31 nuclear warhead in late March 2023.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, as of 2025, North Korea is possessing "some" Hwasong-11S launchers, assessed as "in test" by the IISS.
Ship and submarine compatibility
''Choe Hyon'' destroyer
During the launch of the Choe Hyon destroyer ship on 25 April 2025, a ballistic missile model apparently similar to Hwasong-11S was displayed.Photos from North Korean state media, as well as information from the test of the ship's weapon on 28 and 29 April 2025 indicate that the destroyer is planned to carry 10 Hwasong-11S missiles in large vertical launcher.