Understanding the KN-25: Tianran Xu on North Korea’s Expanding Nuclear-Capable Missile Arsenal

On 14 March 2026, Kim Jong Un inspected a live-fire drill of 600 mm calibre multiple rocket launchers (referred to as the KN-25 by the US intelligence community) by two Korean People’s Army’s long-range artillery companies in the western area. The drill, involving 12 launchers in total, marked the 25th launch of the KN-25. With a total of around 90 rockets having been launched since 2019, the KN-25 is undoubtedly North Korea’s most frequently fired missile.  Despite its perceived limitations, the KN-25 has established itself as the successor to vintage SRBMs in the KPA’s arsenal. Tianran Xu discussed the unique features of North Korea's 600 mm nuclear-capable multiple rocket launchers and reported that in any future high-intensity conflict, the KPA will likely rely on the KN-25 and aeroballistic-type missiles (the Hwasong-11 series that can manoeuvre during flight) to strike targets in South Korea and neighbouring territories.