Recently, the DPRK, the regular missile tests. It took place after a significant break, not to interfere with the negotiation process with the United States, routine in a dead end efforts “diplomacy stars” such as a couple of the casket, identical with the person: Bolton and Pompeo. And held almost immediately after the historic visit of the armored train with Kim Jong Ynom in Vladivostok summit with Russian President. That's how it is applied in the Western media, and, probably, not in vain: Kim Jong-un could easily notify Putin about his plans, but could not do it. Being a no, but nuclear power, North Korea is quite independent in their actions.
A mysterious clone “Iskander”
A few days ago were published footage of these tests. Most of them are not of interest, it was firing 300-mm long-range MLRS (highly advanced system with a satellite-guided missiles with GLONASS and “Beydoun”, range 200 km) and other MRL. But not only. It was first shown footage starting a new operational-tactical complex, very reminiscent of our “Iskander”, true, not the latest version of its. Western analysts have already dubbed him various nicknames (real index is still unknown and may remain unknown for a long time) type “Kimskander” or “Iskander”.
Frame with North Korea tests a new PTRC
This complex does not come from out of nowhere, the first time something similar to it have shown in the parade more than a year ago. But those machines, obviously, or were cobbled together in haste running breadboard model, or some early examples of the chassis, perhaps, rejected: too much difference between them and shoot the other day prototype complex. But, obviously, the main elements of the complex already existed exactly in the current configuration, they just have not shown to the public. And just the current configuration of the complex immediately reminds us of the type RK family “Iskander”.
Early prototypes or models of this complex
so much so, many researchers immediately suggested, that this is “Iskander” in some export iteration, perhaps, further deteriorated even in comparison with “Iskander-E”, but transferred to the Koreans, or constructed on the basis of documents transmitted to the DPRK. of course, it would be a violation of the prohibitions, established by the UN, if it were true.
Starting brothers and twins missiles
And yet, really striking similarities. Since launcher. In the current version, it looks very similar to it on a self-propelled PU “Iskander”, true, not current or new 9P78-1, calculated on 4 missiles and created by the very “scandalous” CD 9M729 (and, it is already clear, a number of other funds “for growth”, It referred to not so long ago at the highest level), and one of the early versions. A distance between the first and second pair of axes at this point leads, although the launcher is more like a modern version of the design features.
Above - SPU 9P78-1 PTRC “Iskander-M”, bottom - North Korean complex
The base itself under the launcher from the North Koreans have, obviously, Chinese origin. Meanwhile, Chinese friends has its own weapons, created with an eye on “Iskander”, a, perhaps, and with the elements of cooperation with Russia in the creation of (both sides usually are silent on such topics). We are talking about the DF-12 System (M20 for export). However, a full copy of it, Unlike many Chinese specimens, It does not look, but most of it is similar in philosophy and its range of application. There and the missile itself of other external, and launcher carries 2 missiles in transport-launch containers, which is not in “Iskander”, and you can not use cruise missiles. Yes, and opportunities, doing the BR “Iskander” unique, like quasi-ballistic trajectories and active maneuvering, this system lacks the, so that the application for “according to an exemplary” by TTX Russian system should be referred to the field of advertising. Generally, absolutely obvious, that the Chinese system has not “inspiration” Koreans, or the Chinese were not for northerners “a source of secret knowledge”. We northerners - the classical scheme is our complex, with accommodation 2 BR without TPK, as the containment missiles advocates machine body with a sliding roof. However, our PTRC (yet it is operational-tactical and not yet moved into a different category) It uses and Kyrgyz Republic, and they are in TPK. That there will be North Koreans, no one knows.
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Left - launch our missiles, Right - North
If you look at a photo of the test start, we will see, that the similarity between family complexes BR “Iskander” and striking the North Korean. Rockets look similar, sisters, twins, then there are some differences to find, of course, can, but we need to peer. Even the number of reflected bands coincides with the start, as the site of their installation. of course, there is no reason to believe, missile capabilities that meet the non-export version of the BR 9M723-1, but it may well be, what, less maneuvering and other exclusive features, Korean system can not be very far from Russian Export embodiment a number of characteristics BR. In the meantime, we can only guess, how suddenly such a breakthrough in the North Korean.
Where the wind blows?
Variant technology transfer from Russia, we noted. While the West has some researchers suggest similar - too much resemblance systems by their appearance. As someone remarked Markus Schiller (whose several collages took the author of this article), “if something quacks, walking, floats, flying duck and looks - it is a duck”. However, this gentleman is generally believed North Korea's missile program all someone's external (or Chinese, or Russian, a Sino-Russian) project, denying the Koreans in the ability to develop its own missile program - and this is completely wrong. But we will not blame his country in violation of UN Security Council embargo. If something somewhere and could take place in secret, nobody ever does not recognize, and to prove this would be virtually impossible. But, on the other hand, the risk of leakage of information on technology transfer exist, from both sides (no matter how effective counterintelligence DPRK, and the FSB, we also do not eat soup bast shoe full of holes). too risky, but because - doubtful. The author also does not believe in the success of North Korean intelligence, who stole in Russia detailed documentation on such a sensitive topic (do not forget: “Iskander-M” It is the carrier of nuclear weapons, and the system has an enviable export opportunities, and its purchase of some people even have been denied at the time). Such theft nowadays possible only in a form “I turn away, I closed his eyes and will assume up to 1000”. At the time, Americans clearly acted in a similar way with Israel and its nuclear program, what do not like to remember or they, nor the Israelis. In today's Russia is now quite strict counterintelligence regime, and secrets to North Korea is unlikely to be “floated” in such a quantity, that it was enough to recreate the best system so close. Something, of course, could learn, when “nuts” have not we had “twisted” so much, but still - no measurements of, or photographing, no separate secret even documents do not solve this problem.
The variant with the purchase of technologies in Ukraine, actively sell secrets to North Korea “highly developed alien civilization”, next visit which can still be found on the territory of the future “agrarian superpower”, and alien to it. But, as it seems to the author, in this case to talk about it seriously can hardly be. Ukrainian crafts Related “Thunder 2”, commissioned by Saudi Arabia, generally, if to dismiss the traditional tales of Kiev bosses “victories”, not come out yet from the level of the rare fire test engines, creating constructive wretched prototype launcher and missile layouts, similar as the “Iskander”, but sufficiently distant. Transfer to Ukrainians on this issue is nothing, they would be happy for yourself somewhere to learn something, let not one divided. And time goes by, and Saudi Prince, to allocate money, They may get bored of fairy tales, that the ass has learned the letters “AND” and “A”. Although we can not completely rule out, that some remnants of knowledge and developments on the matter in the Ukraine, the North Koreans have acquired both on “Thunder 2”, so for as stillborn “Peregrine”. But that, that North Korea obtained, not like these projects.
Option with China can not be excluded, but, as we see, system is similar to the Chinese counterparts. Chinese, of course, something could be quietly supporting northerners, in spite of the sanctions regime, they, It is believed, observe a very peculiar. But to know something about “Iskander” It is not enough to create such a complex. The creation of a system with only external similarity does not give it a hundredth part of the original features, and North Korea should understand it, they are generally much less susceptible to the virus to copy, than the Chinese or Japanese. Especially that the possibilities of the Russian and North Korean missile industry incommensurable, and that, that we would get the same size, Some features and one appearance, when copying will completely different dimensions, weight and capacity. Other fuel, much less powerful, other materials, other technologies.
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Where is the search for the answer to the North Korean rebus? Can, of course, decide, Koreans blinded in haste “fool”, something, very similar to “Iskander”, just for the sake of PR, and this broken system is introduced in the world of delusion. But, reported, rocket actually flew some decent distance, and it was not throwing starting layout. In addition, the North Koreans still 2 years ago, specially developed and tested a solid fuel motor required dimension, and it is now clear, for what kind of system. And this is quite an expensive business - to create a new rocket engine, to do it for the PR campaign.
South Korean PTRC “Xjonmo-2” (2A embodiment), and rocket
And yet there is something interesting in South Koreans, DPRK eternal enemies. With which, not whether US actions, Pyongyang, perhaps, I could establish a much more cordial relationship for a long time. This is in spite of the various “zaskoki” in relation to the North in Seoul. Like the non-recognition of the existence of the DPRK and the general, the level of denying the reality and Southerners can compete unless the Ukrainians with their fantasies about the Crimea and the Donbass. We are talking about the PTRC “Xjonmo-2” (Hyunmoo-2). It was established in South Korea in the early 2000s, and none can hide, he created “caution” on “Iskander-E”. Furthermore, The performance characteristics of this complex is to a large extent correspond to the characteristics of the export version of our complex. for example, the range of the first version of the complex is a little less 300 km, payload mass - less than a ton. And just as the missile itself looks copy “Iskander”, as well as the North Korean novelty. And here is another launcher, The system uses the WPK and the Korean general, explicitly designed their own. But rocket, likely, helped them develop. In those years, cooperation between Moscow and Seoul in the missile area was very wide. So, South Korea KM-SAM SAM is based on developments on did not exist S-350 “Knight”, more precisely, on its export variations, and SAM complex - almost a copy of the export 9M96E. Known story with the South Korean Space Launch Vehicle KSLV, Where, in fact, first steps into space makes universal rocket module URM-1 family of missiles “Angara”, then still also do not fly into space. That is, the South Koreans had been obtained technology from Russia, which had not yet had the opportunity to finance their work in full on a number of projects, and they delayed. In this way, we tested solutions, and budget replenished, and their projects brought to the practical implementation.
And to deal with “Xjonmo-2” range of about 300 km version 2A are not limited to. By the end of the 2000s, a new version was created “Xjonmo-2V”, with an increased range of up to 500 km, and more recently - and the 800-km version “Xjonmo-2c”. true, Warhead weight as a result of these innovations was reduced by almost half, and the accuracy of the “koreyanki” seriously inferior to Russian peers. There is no question about the maneuvers and other capabilities of our complex (although version 2C appeared handlebars near the head of the, what, perhaps, points to the possibility of making a correction maneuver in the target area). And just to the south of the North Korean intelligence feels confident all, it is natural: one nation, one language, a bunch of relatives there. Similar “path” It was more effective than even the Soviet intelligence work against the Federal Republic of Germany. May be, North Korean missile technology simply stolen or overbought to a considerable extent it is in South Korea? Or the North Koreans carefully collected all possible information about the Russian system from all sources, but the basic information is received from the South?
Left - South Korean BR “Xjonmo-2a”, at the center - our BR “Iskander”, deal - severokoreyskaya PCS. Of course, the difference in size and weight of shot is installed can not be accurately, but the similarity of all three missiles - there
Of course, full analog will not work, and do not need it. But with finishing (when it happens) this PTRC “Kimskandyer”, if you can call it that, the smiling leader of North Korea will receive another serious argument for communication with the Americans, whose bases within range of this system will come under the first blow, and Southerners, and the Japanese. After growth reserves range in dimension “iskanderovskih” BR has a very large, the only question is, Will the northerners their technology to implement at least half as, how can there, recently I returned from an armored train, Kim Jong-un. Of course, North Koreans are very far from Russia in military technology, and missile including, but also presenting most of the Russians, brought up on stories of various liberal bloggers and other travelers on a backward country without internet, a soldier in an ancient form of the ancient weapon, where they all go, reeling from hunger, because they feed on quinoa, very far from reality. Especially in the context of military technology and it is particularly in the missile parts. That they once again and proved.
I. Vyatkin, especially for “military review”
