North Korea has announced the successful test of an upgraded solid-fuel missile engine, a development leader Kim Jong Un described as a major boost to the country’s strategic military capabilities.
According to state-run Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, Kim personally observed the ground test of the engine, which reportedly delivers a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons— an increase from approximately 1,970 kilonewtons recorded in a similar test conducted in September.
The new engine, built with composite carbon fiber materials, is part of Pyongyang’s ongoing five-year military modernization plan aimed at strengthening its “strategic strike means,” a term commonly used to describe nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
Solid-fuel technology is considered a significant advancement in missile development, as it allows weapons to be deployed more quickly and with greater mobility.
Unlike liquid-fuel systems, which require fueling prior to launch, solid-fuel missiles can be stored and transported more easily, making them harder to detect and intercept.
Despite the claims, some analysts have expressed skepticism over the test’s significance.
Experts noted that key details, such as the engine’s combustion duration, were not disclosed, raising questions about its actual performance.
Observers had earlier expected North Korea to conduct a full intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch following its previous engine tests, but no such launch has taken place.
This has led to speculation that the programme may be facing delays or undergoing further refinement.
There are also suggestions that North Korea’s weapons development efforts could be benefiting from growing military cooperation with Russia, particularly amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War.
