The Hwasong-11E () is a North Korean short-range or medium-range ballistic missile. First revealed on 4 October 2025 during a military exhibition, the Hwasong-11E is a member of Hwasong-11 family of short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), with the missile being designed to be equipped with hypersonic glide vehicle. The first confirmed launch was on 4 January 2026, although there was an alleged flight test on 22 October 2025. In September 2026, North Korea unveiled a new variant of Hwasong-11E, called Hwasong-11E-1 during a test.

Description

The Hwasong-11E is the sixth member of the Hwasong-11 missile family. It uses the same booster and engine as Hwasong-11C, the larger variant of Hwasong-11A. The TEL of Hwasong-11E is a 5-axle chassis that can carry two missiles, like other road-mobile variants of Hwasong-11A. Open-source assessments indicate the Hwasong-11E's length and diameter are estimated to be and respectively, while its launch mass is also judged to be .

The missile features a hypersonic glide vehicle, using the design not seen in other systems, with four fins (two aerodynamic and two guidance) located near its base. It has the capability of conducting unexpected and complicated maneuvers, including S-turn and rapid altitude changes. Estimation indicates a range of , which is longer than other Hwasong-11 variants due to the lengthened flight trajectory and duration. Section "Triều Tiên ra mắt mẫu tên lửa Hwasong-11 mới" (North Korea unveils new Hwasong-11 variant)

The Hwasong-11E may bring North Korea additional hypersonic-speed strike capability for use against South Korea's better-protected targets, including airfields, command centers and weapons storage facilities. According to South Korean media, as the Hwasong-11E can reach hypersonic speed and fly at low altitude, it's capable of evading the air defense systems of the United States and South Korea. The missile's estimated maximum speed at terminal phase is . According to North Korea, Hwasong-11E can execute "ultraprecision" strikes against targets located at hundreds of kilometers away with high destructive power and defense evading capability.

It is possible that North Korea develops Hwasong-11E based on Hwasong-11A's combat performance in Russo-Ukrainian war.

According to North Korean official Pak Jong-chon, Hwasong-11E is a new weapon system that have a "new strategic value", reflecting the development of North Korean defense industry. Given North Korea's tactical missile production capacity is one of the largest in the world, the research and development cycle of the Hwasong-11E can be shortened and the missile may enter mass production.

History North Korea unveiled Hwasong-11E at the "Defence Development-2025" opened on 4 October 2025, with the missile's official name written at the warhead. It was showcased along with other weapons, including Hwasong-18, Hwasong-19 (later confirmed as Hwasong-20), supersonic cruise missiles and anti-submarine missiles. Later, North Korea displayed the missile on 10 October 2025, during a military parade.

An alleged test-fire occurred on 22 October 2025. Later, a confirmed test-fire of Hwasong-11E occurred on 4 January 2026. The launch related to "the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events" according to North Korean state media, suggesting the possible reaction to the US military intervention in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

List of tests AttemptDate (Pyongyang Standard Time)LocationOutcomeAdditional notesReferencesUnconfirmed22 October 2025, 8:10 a.m.Ryokpho District, PyongyangSouth Korean military detected multiple ballistic missiles were launched at 8:10 a.m. and flew about .

North Korean state media confirmed the launch of two missiles, which was organized by the Missile Administration. The missiles were called "important" weapon system and "hypersonic projectiles" without mentioning official designation. The launch may involved Hwasong-11E, but it is also possible that the missiles were Hwasong-11C-4.5.

The missiles flew in a northeast direction and hit their preset target in Orang County, North Hamgyong Province, away from launch point.14 January 2026, 7:50 a.m.Ryokpho District, PyongyangThe missiles were officially reported to fly . The Korean Central News Agency provided neither detailed information nor any close-up images of the missiles. However, it is highly likely the missiles were Hwasong-11E based on North Korean description of "hypersonic missiles", although initial assessment from South Korean military suspected the launch might involve Hwasong-11A.

The launch occurred at 7:50 a.m local time, with Japan reporting a maximum range of and an apogee of . The missiles likely made a pull-up maneuver and achieved a maximum speed of , based on information from a screen shown by North Korean state media. Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch. Hwasong-11E-1

In September 2026, North Korea unveiled a new variant of Hwasong-11E, called Hwasong-11E-1 (). It appears to be an advanced version of the original missile. Description

Images from North Korean state media indicate Hwasong-11E-1 has a red-white livery. The TEL is a 6-axle chassis, with two launch canisters and modified retractable hatches to cover the warhead. It is equipped with what appears to be hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). The "-1" designation suggests it is the upgraded version of Hwasong-11E. According to Janes Information Services, the missile is roughly long, wide and has a mass of .

The use of boost-glide design, which is the combination of speed and flight path, allows Hwasong-11E-1 maneuvering in flight, making the trajectory prediction more difficult. If the HGV itself enters mass production and deployment, it may cause missile defense problems for South Korean and the US forces.

Estimates quoted by France's Agence France-Presse and South Korea's The Dong-A Ilbo indicate a tested range of from to a higher end of in the maiden test flight. It the North Korea's claim of -range is verified, Hwasong-11E-1 can cover a large portion of the Korean Peninsula.

According to Kim Jong Un, Hwasong-11E-1, placed within the broader context of North Korean weapon developments, "would give ⁠the enemy an incurable headache".

History Hwasong-11E-1 was first tested on 20 September 2026. Although no name was directly mentioned by North Korean state media, the missile's official designation was confirmed as one of the images released by them showed a label on the monitor screen that contains the formal name. List of tests AttemptDate (Pyongyang Standard Time)LocationOutcomeAdditional notesReferences120 September 2026Anbyon County, Kangwon ProvinceSouth Korean and Japanese militaries detected the launch of two ballistic missiles at about 3:00 p.m. and 5:50 p.m. local time. According to Japan, they flew to apogees of , while South Korean claims indicated ranges of and over .

Two days after the launch, North Korean state media confirmed the test, saying it was carried out by the DPRK Missile Administration under Kim Jong Un supervision. Images indicated the presence of his daughter, as well as a monitor screen displaying a pull-up maneuver, an achieved speed of over and the -range reached by the missile while remaining in flight. The possible scenarios of this distance claim include altered data, different flight path measurement, and South Korea and Japan's unacknowledgement of a portion of the flight path.

North Korea did not clarify the tested weapon; instead, they using generic terms such as "new-type weapon" and "new, important combat weapon system".

See also Related development Hwasong-8 Hwasong-11A Hwasong-12B Hwasong-16B Comparable missiles DF-17

Notes

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