North Korea tests new ‘very large warhead’: State media – Al Jazeera English Achi-News

Pyongyang says a new warhead has been designed for cruise missiles, adding that a new anti-aircraft rocket has also been tested.

North Korea has conducted a test of a “very large warhead” designed for a strategic cruise missile, state media reports, adding that it has also launched a new type of anti-aircraft missile.

“The DPRK Missile Ministry has conducted a power test of a super-large warhead designed for the strategic cruise missile ‘Hwasal-1 Ra-3′”, the KCNA news agency reported on Saturday, referring to North Korea by an abbreviation for its official name – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

North Korea also conducted a test launch on Friday afternoon of “Pyoljji-1-2”, which state media said was a “new type anti-aircraft missile”.

KCNA added that “a specific goal has been reached” through the test without providing further details.

The weapons tests were part of “regular activities of the administration and its related defense science institutions”, KCNA reported, referring to the operation of “new type weapon systems”.

The tests had “nothing to do with the surrounding situation”, KCNA added, but gave no further information.

In early April, North Korea said it had tested a new medium-to-long-range solid-fuel hypersonic missile, with state media sharing video of it being launched as leader Kim Jong Un looked on.

Cruise missiles are among a growing collection of North Korean weapons designed to overwhelm regional missile defenses. They complement the North’s vast arsenal of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental variants, which are said to be aimed at the continental United States.

Analysts say anti-aircraft missile technology is an area where North Korea could benefit from its deepening military cooperation with Russia, as the two countries align in the face of their separate, escalating conflict with the United States.

The United States and South Korea have accused the North of providing Russia with artillery shells and other equipment to help extend its ability to fight a war in Ukraine.

Since its second nuclear test in 2009, Pyongyang has been under heavy international sanctions, but the development of its nuclear and weapons programs has continued unabated.