Attribute

Hwasong-19 (North Korea)

Minuteman III (United States)

RS-24 Yars (Russia)

DF-41 (China)

Purpose

Long-range intercontinental ballistic missile; aims to deter external threats and assert North Korea’s military capabilities

Designed for long-range precision nuclear strike capabilities

Long-range ICBM with high mobility; equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs)

Long-range ICBM capable of reaching distant targets, with MIRV capability

Fuel Type

Solid fuel, enhancing mobility and readiness by eliminating the need for on-site fueling

Solid fuel

Solid fuel

Solid fuel

Size

Estimated to be over 28 meters long, significantly larger than similar ICBMs

Smaller than Hwasong-19

Smaller than Hwasong-19

Smaller than Hwasong-19

Detection Risk

High detection risk due to large size and transport vehicles, raising concerns about survival in actual combat

Lower detection risk due to compact size and established deterrence capabilities

Lower detection risk due to mobility and established deployment infrastructure

Lower detection risk due to mobility and China’s strategic deployment

Range

Long-range xs(exact range classified)

Approximately 13,000 km

Approximately 12,000 km

Over 12,000 km

MIRV Capability

Likely not equipped with MIRVs

No MIRVs

Equipped with MIRVs

Equipped with MIRVs

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about Hwasong-19:

1. It is a North Korean two-stage solid-fuel Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
2. It is estimated to be significantly larger than similar ICBMs from other nations.

Which of the above-given statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Hwasong-19 is a North Korean three-stage solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) successfully tested for the first time on October 31, 2024 by the Korean People's Army.

Statement 2 is correct: Estimated to be over 28 meters long, significantly larger than similar ICBMs from other nations. Large size and transport vehicles make it easier to detect, raising concerns about its survival in actual combat.