North Korea Tests New SAM System Resembling Russian S-400
North Korea tested a new air defense system on November 4, 2026.
DPRK’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported this.
The new surface-to-air missile system was tested by the DPRK Missile Administration. According to the agency, the tests were intended to verify the missile’s technical specifications and the reliability of its new materials, as well as the performance of its multi-mode guidance system.
The tests also assessed the system’s ability to detect, identify and track targets, as well as process information collected by its detection means.
The exact designation of the new system and its specifications have not been disclosed. However, some of its design features are noteworthy in light of North Korea’s previous displays of missile systems at military parades.
In particular, wheeled launchers carrying four long canisters were unveiled during a military parade in Pyongyang on October 10, 2020.
At the time, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that South Korean and US intelligence agencies were analysing the weapons and military equipment displayed by North Korea.
Meanwhile, analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) noted that the canisters’ length and shape were more consistent with a possible ground-launched cruise missile than an air defence system.
Therefore, it was impossible to definitively identify the purpose of the launcher at the time.
However, despite earlier analytical assessments, the system tested on November 4, 2026, and the launcher displayed during the military parade in Pyongyang on October 10, 2020, share several design features.
This may indicate that the parade featured one of the variants of a self-propelled SAM system launcher. However, this identification requires further confirmation.
Militarnyi previously reported that North Korea had unveiled a launch system of unknown purpose. The system is mounted on a three-axle chassis and features a launcher with 22 tubes, which could be used to fire surface-to-air or anti-tank missiles.
Source: Militaryni
