Supposed N-Korean hypersonic projectiles examination unsuccessful
Date
6/27/2024 8:20:16 AM
(MENAFN) North Korea reportedly conducted a test of a hypersonic missile on Wednesday, although the launch was deemed unsuccessful by South Korean military sources. The projectile, launched from the Pyongyang area at approximately 5:30 am local time, traveled about 250 kilometers before exploding mid-air.
Hypersonic missiles, capable of speeds up to 25 times the speed of sound, pose significant challenges to modern air defense systems due to their rapid velocity. Countries including the US, Russia, China, and India have developed or are in the process of developing hypersonic weapons, with claims of successful tests emerging from various nations.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, as reported by Yonhap News Agency, indicated that the missile launched by North Korea appeared to be of hypersonic nature. Both South Korean and US intelligence services are currently analyzing the details of the missile's characteristics and performance.
The apparent missile test comes shortly after North Korea's expressed intent to implement new deterrence measures following the arrival of the US aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in South Korea. The carrier's participation in trilateral military exercises with South Korea and Japan has been viewed by Pyongyang as a threat to its national security, prompting previous responses such as the launch of short-range ballistic missiles in late May.
In April, North Korea also conducted a simulated nuclear counterattack and test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile reportedly equipped with a hypersonic warhead. These actions underscore ongoing tensions in the region amidst military maneuvers and perceived threats, highlighting the complexities of security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
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