North Korean 240mm Rocket System Tested, Signals Possible Increase in Military Cooperation with Russia

North Korea has recently highlighted its newly developed tactical ballistic missile systems, which are reportedly being used in the Russia-Ukraine war. This development raises the possibility that North Korean weapon systems could become a more prominent export to Russia.

On August 27, North Korea’s state-run media KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un oversaw the test firing of the 240mm multiple rocket launcher system developed by the Defense Industry Department. The report described the rocket launcher as having improved mobility and strike capability, with enhancements in guidance systems, controllability, and destructive power. It also noted that Kim issued directives for producing artillery weapons and replacing military equipment.

The 240mm multiple rocket launcher poses a significant threat to the Seoul-Gyeonggi metropolitan area in South Korea. North Korea has been advancing the Soviet-era BM-24 rocket launcher system, and in February, it announced the development of a new 240mm rocket with guidance capabilities. By May, North Korea introduced an automatic fire control system for the updated rocket launcher, which features improved mobility and fire concentration—the military plans to replace rocket launchers with this upgraded version by 2026.

The recent launch of the upgraded 240mm rocket into the West Sea demonstrates its capabilities, possibly in response to the U.S.-South Korea joint exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS). Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Unification Research Institute, suggested that this launch could be part of North Korea’s broader production and deployment plan for the year. Given the timing during the UFS period, he noted that North Korea may be signaling its intention to respond.

Kim’s frequent appearances at weapon test sites underscore the seriousness with which North Korea is considering supplying these systems to Russia. As the Russia-Ukraine war intensifies, cooperation between North Korea and Russia is strengthening. Previously, Kim showcased the establishment of a mass production system while overseeing performance tests of suicide drones, and this time, he emphasized the significance of the 240mm rocket launcher system’s test firing.

North Korea has already confirmed supplying Russia with 122mm rocket launchers for the Ukraine front, which raises the likelihood of providing the 240mm system as well. Russia is intensifying air strikes in Ukraine using missiles and drones, indicating a shortage of rockets and drones. Notably, Kim Jeong Sik, the deputy director who accompanied Kim Jong Un during the inspection of the rocket launchers, was spotted attending the ARMY 2024 International Military-Technical Forum in Moscow on August 13, reaffirming the possibility of North Korea exporting missiles and drones.

Yang Moo Jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, explained that test firings are generally conducted to randomly select weapons from storage, either already deployed or about to be deployed, to verify their functionality. He suggested that, given the re-escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war and the concurrent North-Russian economic talks at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang, it is possible that these test firings could have been inspection tests for potential exports to Russia.