North Korea Tests Cluster Warhead for Tactical Ballistic Missiles, Claims Destructive Range of Up to 81 Rai
North Korea has tested a cluster-munition warhead designed for tactical ballistic missiles, claiming it can devastate a target area of up to 13 hectares, equivalent to approximately 81 rai.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on November 1 that the Missile Administration conducted the test on October 31 to evaluate the combat suitability and destructive power of the warhead.
According to North Korean authorities, the Standard Type-2 cluster warhead can destroy an area of approximately 12 to 13 hectares at its highest concentration.
The Missile Administration also revealed that the country has developed four categories of cluster warheads and plans to make all types available to military units by the end of 2026, depending on operational requirements and target characteristics.
Images released by KCNA showed a missile launch and the warhead dispersing multiple submunitions across a wide target area.
South Korea’s military confirmed it had tracked a North Korean missile launch toward the Yellow Sea on October 31, maintaining a heightened readiness posture in coordination with the United States.
The latest test comes amid Pyongyang’s intensified weapons development activities, including recent ballistic missile launches and demonstrations of advanced drone technology, as North Korea continues to expand its tactical strike capabilities.