New NK Missile

[Anchor Lead]

A new intermediate-range ballistic missile showcased by North Korea was launched from a portable launcher without a huge launch pad or even a mobile launch vehicle. Use of portable launchers enables simultaneous provocations and has therefore been deemed as yet another threat.

[Pkg]

North Korea's latest Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile soared into the sky in the absence of any kind of major launch pad or a mobile launch vehicle. A portable launch stand was used in the missile firing, a method developed by the former Soviet Union. A vehicle carrying the missile called the transport erector launcher places the missile on a portable stand or a ground launch device which then combines with the missile. The vehicle then separates from the missile and leaves the site. Then the missile is ignited. North Korea owns around 100 of these transport erector launchers and approximately 1,000 missiles. If the North jointly utilizes the mobile launch vehicle and the ground firing stand as demonstrated in the latest launch, simultaneous surprise missile launches are possible.

[Soundbite] Yang Wuk(Chief Researcher, Korea Defense & Security Forum) : "If TELs are not enough, portable launch stands can be erected at several locations to make up for the lack of TELs."

Intelligence authorities believe that Pyongyang is even developing Russian 'nuclear train' technology through which ballistic missiles are fired from a train as its roof opens up. This method is aimed at launching missiles in the most surreptitious way possible.