North Korea bolsters Russian arsenal amid missile trade
Admiral Samuel Paparo, the commander of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, reported that North Korea is stepping up its military support for Russia. According to Paparo, Pyongyang has sent "thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of artillery shells" to Russia.
As reported by Defence Blog, North Korea is expected to receive advanced air defence systems in return, including surface-to-air missile systems. Paparo noted that this transaction is mutually beneficial, addressing both countries' military deficiencies. His comments arise amidst growing concerns over the deepening military cooperation between these regimes.
The exchange between North Korea and Russia
American intelligence officials have confirmed the increasing flow of weapons from North Korea to Russia. Paparo’s remarks are some of the most direct and detailed assessments of this situation by a high-ranking military officer, as highlighted by Defence Blog.
In December 2024, a train convoy was seen in Russia transporting vehicles similar to launchers for North Korea's Pukguksong-2 ballistic missile. Later, in February 2025, South Korean media reported further arms shipments from North Korea, anticipated to occur by the end of March. These shipments were expected to include KN-23 ballistic missiles and 122 mm and 152 mm artillery shells, compatible with Soviet-era systems still in use by Russian forces.
Pukguksong-2 and KN-23 are two North Korean short and medium-range ballistic missiles that have piqued the interest of military experts and the international community in recent years. Both missile systems demonstrate North Korea's efforts to modernize its arsenal, forming a significant part of Kim Jong Un's regime’s deterrence strategy.
Pukguksong-2, also known as KN-15, was first introduced to the world in February 2017. It is a solid-fueled ballistic missile, marking a significant advancement over earlier North Korean designs that relied on liquid fuel. The use of solid fuel makes Pukguksong-2 more mobile and faster to launch, making it harder to detect and neutralize before it takes off. Launched from a mobile tracked launcher resembling an armoured personnel carrier, it enhances stealth and operational flexibility.
Pukguksong-2 is likely based on sea-based missile technology, specifically the Pukguksong-1, which was developed as a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Adapting this technology for land-based use led to the creation of a system with a range of about 1,200–1,300 kilometres, capable of striking targets in South Korea and Japan. The missile can carry a conventional or nuclear warhead and has a manoeuvrable flight trajectory, making it difficult to intercept with missile defence systems.
KN-23, on the other hand, is a short-range ballistic missile first unveiled in May 2019, drawing interest due to its resemblance to the Russian Iskander missile. Like its Russian counterpart, the KN-23 is known for its ability to fly on a quasi-ballistic trajectory – low, irregular, and difficult to predict, complicating interception efforts significantly. The KN-23's range is estimated to be around 400–700 kilometres, though some tests suggest the ability to reach targets up to 1,000 kilometres away.
This missile also uses solid fuel and is launched from mobile wheeled or tracked launchers. Its design allows for highly precise strikes, which suggests it may be capable of hitting key military targets, such as bases, airports, or command centres. Interestingly, the KN-23 has also been tested with a variant carrying a larger warhead, which might indicate an attempt to integrate it with a nuclear warhead of significant destructive power.
