North Korean missile secrets: An electronic patchwork unveiled
Ukrainians have completed the analysis of the wreckage of North Korean ballistic missiles KN-23/24. The body is the only element from North Korea, while the rest of the components come from around the world. We explain what the Kim-skanders conceal and how they might have been developed.
Due to the depletion of what many once thought to be "endless" post-Soviet ammunition reserves and insufficient production capacity, the Russians are compelled to meet as much as 60 percent of their needs with supplies from North Korea.
Besides simple artillery shells and unguided rockets, the Russians also receive North Korean ballistic missiles KN-23/24. As is typical for regimes isolated from the world, these are made based on commercial components sourced from countries such as China, the USA, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, and Switzerland. Some, like the DC/DC converter from XP Power, were even produced in 2023.
Here’s how the Kim regime acquires electronics
Much like Iran, North Korea has developed a system for acquiring electronics through a network of entities masking the end customer. This involves acquiring commercial components that are available for open sale. Another source is end distributors from certain countries like Kazakhstan, who are willing to sell certain electronics to sanctioned entities for several times the market price and are motivated by profit.
It’s important to note that military-grade circuits are not always necessary for weapons production, as commercial electronics can often suffice. However, this can affect reliability, as circuits intended for washing machines were not designed to operate under the stress or temperatures experienced by a ballistic missile.
Consequently, some of these missiles may miss their targets or explode prematurely mid-flight, an issue that has already occurred near Kyiv with North Korean KN-23/24 missiles.
A surprising mix of electronics and mechanics in the KN-23/24 missiles from the DPRK
For instance, the DC/DC converter TEN 8-2411WI from the Swiss company TRACO Power or the Hall sensor HCS-LTS-15A from LEM International SA cost about a dozen dollars each and are available to anyone. Meanwhile, NXP semiconductors from the Netherlands, such as the LPC1759FBD80 microcontroller, are used in alarm systems or engine controllers.
Numerous American-made components are also available from Bourns Inc., Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Semtech Corporation, and Fairchild Semiconductor. For example, Texas Instruments supplies the TPS54312 pulse regulators, which cost less than four pounds each.
The final electronics category is sourced from North Korea’s oldest ally, the People's Republic of China. Examples include the AT2659s antenna amplifier from ZHONGKEWEI supporting GPS or GLONASS, ordinary E249743 antenna cables from Jiukai Co. Ltd., a 12.00 MHz quartz resonator, or the URB2405LD-20WR3 DC/DC converter from MORNSUN Guangzhou.
The North Koreans even use car parts like NSK 5209Z NR ball bearings, typically found in Toyota or Lexus cars, to produce KN-23/24 missiles.
Combined with a 500-kilogram warhead and a solid-fuelled rocket engine, these elements create a formidable weapon. If it doesn’t fall apart en route, it can inflict significant damage with great precision on targets about 500 kilometres away. Kim-skanders are a less sophisticated counterpart to the Russian ballistic missiles Iskander-M.
