Tuesday 24 February 2009


NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE PROGRAMME

BBC News, February 24, 2009

North Korea is believed to have more than 800 ballistic missiles, including long-range missiles which could one day strike the US. The BBC looks at Pyongyang's missile programme, which has mainly been developed from the Scud missile.

North Korea first obtained tactical missiles from the Soviet Union as early as 1969, but its first Scuds reportedly came via Egypt in 1976.

Egypt is believed to have supplied North Korea with Scud-B missiles and designs in return for its support against Israel in the Yom Kippur War.

By 1984, North Korea was building its own Scud-Bs and developed two new versions, the Scud-C and Scud-D. It has since developed a medium-range missile, the Nodong, and a long-range missile based on Scud technology, the Taepodong.

In July 2006 it test-fired a modification to the Taepodong, called the Taepodong-2, which experts say could have a range of up to 6,000km (3,500 miles). The missile blew up shortly after launch.

SHORT-RANGE MISSILES

North Korea has a variety of short-range missiles. The KN-02 is thought to be the most accurate, but its range - around 100 km - is the shortest.

The Scud-B and C have ranges of 300 and 500 km respectively, while the Scud-D is believed to have a range of 700 km. It is thought that these missiles could deliver conventional warheads.

The Scud-B, C and D have all been tested and deployed. These missiles would enable North Korea to strike any area in South Korea.

The KN-02 missile, currently in the testing stage, could be aimed at key targets in South Korea such as military installations south of the border.

(...) [artículo aquí]

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