Kim Jong Un Watches Live Tests of Upgraded Artillery and Missile Systems in North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally attended the live-fire testing of upgraded artillery rocket launchers and a tactical ballistic missile warhead signaling Pyongyang’s continued push to sharpen its military edge.

Kim Jong Un Steps Out to Watch Upgraded Weapons Tests

North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un turned up in person to watch a series of live-fire tests this time featuring freshly upgraded versions of the country’s artillery and missile systems. State media agency KCNA confirmed the event, adding that senior party and military officials also gathered at the site to observe the drills.

Among those present was Jang Chang Ha, the head of the Academy of Defence Science a key figure in North Korea’s weapons development program. His presence underlined how seriously Pyongyang treats these tests.

Upgraded Rocket Launcher Put Through Its Paces

The centerpiece of the day’s tests was an upgraded 240mm multiple rocket launcher a formidable system fitted with 24 barrels. Officials on-site carried out a detailed analysis of the weapon’s combat capabilities after the live-fire demonstration wrapped up.

“An analysis and evaluation of the combat performance of the upgraded 240mm rocket launcher with 24 tubes and the special-purpose warhead of a tactical ballistic missile were conducted,” KCNA reported.

The upgraded launcher and its tightened design drew particular attention from military brass who watched the test unfold in real time.

Tactical Ballistic Missile Warhead Also Under Review

Alongside the rocket launcher, teams also put a special-purpose warhead for a tactical ballistic missile through its evaluation rounds. The warhead test formed a critical part of the day’s agenda with officials keenly watching how the weapon performed under test conditions.

The assessments covered accuracy, range, and overall reliability key benchmarks for any battlefield-ready weapon system.

Extended-Range Shell for Self-Propelled Howitzer Joins the Line-Up

The tests did not stop there. North Korean military teams also assessed the precision of a newly developed extended-range shell designed specifically for a 155mm self-propelled howitzer. The shell’s accuracy on impact was put under the microscope during the evaluation.

The addition of the extended-range round to the test schedule signals that North Korea is not only improving its larger systems but also working to extend the striking power of its more conventional artillery platforms.

This latest round of weapons testing follows closely on the heels of Kim Jong Un’s announcement made just two days earlier that North Korea’s naval nuclear armament program is proceeding exactly on schedule.