Hwasal-2
North Korean cruise missile
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The Hwasal-2 (Korean: 《화살-2》형; lit. 'Arrow Type 2') is a North Korean land-attack cruise missile. A long-range cruise missile, Hwasal-2 made its public debut in October 2021 during a military exhibition. It was first test-fired in January 2022. North Korea has called Hwasal-2 as a "strategic" cruise missile.
Surface-to-surface missile
| Hwasal-2 | |
|---|---|
 Diagram of Hwasal-2 (white-painted version) | |
| Type | Long-range, land-attack cruise missile Surface-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2021–present |
| Used by | Korean People's Army |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,300 kg (2,900 lb) |
| Length | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Diameter | 0.6 m (2.0 ft) |
| Warhead | tactical nuclear weapons 400 kg (880 lb) warhead |
| Engine | turbofan or turbojet |
Operational range | About 1,500–2,000 km (930–1,240 mi) |
Launch platform | Transporter erector launcher (TEL), submarine, corvette ship |
Description
The Hwasal-2 is estimated to be 7 m (23 ft) long, 0.6 m (2.0 ft) wide and weigh 1,300 kg (2,900 lb). Its assumed range is 1,500–2,000 km (930–1,240 mi). The estimated payload mass is 400 kg (880 lb).[1] The Hwasal-2 can be launched by land-based mobile launcher, corvette ship or submarine.[2]
It is capable of carrying the Hwasan-31 nuclear warhead.[3]
Hwasal-2 has three color versions: White, black and dark blue.
History
This missile was first observed in Self-Defense-2021 military exhibition with another cruise missile, Hwasal-1.[4]
On 23 February 2023, the Korean Central News Agency revealed the missile's official name as Hwasal-2.[5]
A black-painted version was tested on 30 January 2024.[6]
A dark blue-painted version of Hwasal-2 was also displayed during the launching ceremony for the Choe Hyon destroyer ship on 25 April 2025.[7]
List of Hwasal-2 launches
| Attempt | Date | Location | Pre-launch announcement / detection | Outcome | Additional notes | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 January 2022 | Hamhung (39.111832°N 127.666801°E) |
None | Success | North Korea did not mention the name of missile, later confirmed as Hwasal-2 as it has same design. | [8][9] |
| 2 | 12 October 2022 | Kaechon | None | Success | North Korea also did not reveal official name of the missile in this test. The missiles flew for over 10,200 seconds and hit the target 2,000 km (1,200 mi) away. Kim Jong Un supervised the test. The images of this test may be from the September 2021 tests of the then-unnamed Hwasal-1. According to 38 North, the missiles launched in October 2022 test were Hwasal-2. | [10][11][12][13] |
| 3 | 23 February 2023 | Kimchaek | None | Unknown | North Korea asserted launch of four missiles, which travelled 2,000 km (1,200 mi) before hitting an unspecified target. However, South Korean Ministry of National Defense was skeptical on North Korean news report. Image showed a Hwasal-2 in white livery with black-painted nose cone being launched. | [14][15][16] |
| 4 | 22 March 2023 | South Hamgyong | None | Success | North Korea launched two Hwasal-2 along with another two Hwasal-1 cruise missiles. Kim Jong Un oversaw the test. | [17][18] |
| 5 | Before 21 August 2023 | South Hamgyong | None | Success | Kim Jong Un supervised the launch. North Korea launched at least two Hwasal-2 missiles over the Amnok-class ship. However, the exact date was not mentioned. | [19][20][21] |
| 6 | 30 January 2024 | Unknown | None | Success | Images showed a Hwasal-2 in black livery, with white-painted nose cone. | [6] |