Pulhwasal-3-31

Pulhwasal-3-31
TypeSubmarine-launched cruise missile
Place of originNorth Korea
Service history
In service2024-present
Used byKorean People's Army
Production history
ManufacturerNorth Korea
Specifications
WarheadTactical nuclear weapons

Operational
range
2,000 km (1,200 mi)
Launch
platform
Submarine

The Pulhwasal-3-31 (Korean《불화살-3-31》형; lit. Fire Arrow Type 3-31) is a North Korean submarine-launched cruise missile.

Description

Images of the Pulhwasal-3-31
Launch of the missile

Based on images released by North Korea, Pulhwasal-3-31 appears to be a long-range, land-attack cruise missile for attacking fixed targets on the ground. It is similar to Russia's Kalibr or United States's Tomahawk.[1]

According to North Korea, it is a "strategic" cruise missile.[2] As the missile's name contains number 31, it is highly likely that Pulhwasal-3-31 is able to carry the Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead.[3]

It is capable of flying for more than two hours.[4] Its assumed range is 2,000 km (1,200 mi).[5]

List of tests

Attempt Date Location Number of missiles tested Outcome Additional notes
1 24 January 2024 North Korea’s west coast[6] 1 (North Korea)
"Several" (South Korea)[6]
Success First test-fire of Pulhwasal-3-31. According to North Korea, it is "under development".[7]
2 28 January 2024 Near Sinpo[8] 2 (North Korea)
"Several" (South Korea)[9]
Success These missiles flew for over 7,400 seconds. Kim Jong Un oversaw the test.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Lý Thùy (2 February 2024). "Tên lửa Pulhwasal-3-31 Triều Tiên vừa thử nghiệm có gì đặc biệt?" [What is special about the Pulhwasal-3-31 missile that North Korea just tested?]. Tri thức và Cuộc sống Newspaper (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Test-fire of Submarine-launched Strategic Cruise Missile". Korean Central News Agency. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  3. ^ "North Korea says fired cruise missile with 'super-large warhead'". EFE. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  4. ^ "North Korean nuclear weapons, 2024" (PDF). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  5. ^ Kim Ho-jun (29 January 2024). "북, 지상 이어 해상서 핵탑재 신형 순항미사일 발사능력 과시(종합)" [North Korea shows off new nuclear-capable cruise missile launch capability at sea following land]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  6. ^ a b Zwirko, Colin (25 January 2024). "North Korea says it tested new cruise missile". NK News. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  7. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Conducts First Test-fire of New-type Strategic Cruise Missile". Korean Central News Agency. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  8. ^ "North Korea's Kim 'guided' submarine-launched cruise missile test: KCNA". Al Jazeera English. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  9. ^ Wright, George (29 January 2024). "North Korea fires cruise missiles off east coast, Seoul reports". BBC. Retrieved 18 January 2025.