Hwasong-5

The Hwasong-5 is a North Korean short range  ballistic missile (SRBM) derived from the Soviet R-17 Elbrus missile. It is one of several missiles with the NATO reporting name Scud-B.

History
North Korea received rocket artillery, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and anti-ship missiles from the Soviet Union in the 1960s and then from China in the 1970s. The range and accuracy of the 2K6 Luna were unsatisfactory, but the Soviets refused to supply ballistic missiles to limit tensions in Korea. North Korea sought a domestic missile production capability by 1965, and began making military and industrial preparations shortly afterward.

A joint development program with China of the DF-61 missile began in 1977, but was cancelled in 1978 due to Chinese domestic politics. North Korea received R-17s from Egypt in the late 1970s or early 1980s. North Korea supported Egypt during the Yom Kippur War and the countries had friendly relations.

The R-17s were reverse engineered to develop multiple derivatives starting with the Hwasong-5. The Hwasong-5 may have slightly better range than the R-17 due to improved engines. There were up to six test launches from April to September 1984 with three successes. The missile entered production in 1985. Serial production began in 1986. It entered North Korean service in 1987.

Hwasong-series missiles are reportedly manufactured by the No. 125 Factory in Pyongyang.

Export
Iran used the Hwasong-5 during the War of the Cities, with eight launch failures. North Korea received operational data from Iran. Iran first requested missiles from North Korea in 1985, and a 1985 cooperation agreement between the countries may have included Iranian funds for ballistic missile development.

In 1989, the United Arab Emirates purchased Hwasong-5 missiles. The missiles were decommissioned, allegedly due to unsatisfactory quality.

In the late 2000s, a missile technology transfer from North Korea to Myanmar may have included the Hwasong-5.

Variants

 * Hwasong-5
 * "KN-21"
 * A variant with terminal maneuverability and tested on August 26, 2017. Not seen after August 2017 and likely abandoned. KN-21 is the U.S. designation.

Current operators
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