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North Korea conducts engine test for missile capable of targeting US mainland
The test produced 2,500 kilonewtons of thrust, marking progress in North Korea’s five-year plan to enhance missile range and enable multiple warheads to evade defenses.
- On Sunday, March 29, 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a ground test of an upgraded solid-fuel missile engine constructed with composite carbon-fiber materials, producing a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons, according to the Korean Central News Agency .
- Part of the country's five-year military escalation program, the test aimed to upgrade "strategic strike means." Solid-fuel engines require little ignition time compared to older liquid-fuel systems, enabling faster launches and harder detection.
- Kim also inspected a new main battle tank performance test organized by the Armored Weapons Institute of the Academy of Defence Sciences, with the tank's active protection system achieving a 100 percent success rate against anti-tank weapons.
- Dr. Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP the increased thrust demonstrates North Korea's "resolve to acquire missiles capable of hitting targets around the globe" and ability to overwhelm missile defense systems.
- Despite these advancements, experts caution that technological hurdles such as warhead reentry survivability remain unresolved. Kim recently pledged to cement the country's nuclear status, accusing the United States of global "state terrorism and aggression" in reference to Middle East conflicts.
196 Articles
196 Articles
North Korea Conducts Missile Engine Test That Seeks to Increase Missile Range
Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date. North Korea has conducted a missile engine test aimed at advancing its long-range missile capabilities. Getting into it: The test, which was overseen by Kim Jong-un, involved a …
The North Korean ruler described the test as an advance that will enhance his country’s strategic military capabilities
North Korea conducts test for missile it claims can target US mainland
The test probably indicates that Kim Jong-un intends to expand and modernise a mission arsenal.
The engine test achieved a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilotons. This is 529 kilotons more than in September. Kim wants to modernize the arsenal.
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