North Korea Tests New Artillery and Missile, Leader Kim: We Will Make the Enemy Aware of

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a review of an improved missile and artillery test (Source: KCNA)

North Korea will make its enemies aware of its increased long-range strike capabilities, leader Kim Jong Un said, as he watched a test of the country's upgraded artillery and missile systems.

State news agency KCNA reported on Friday that leader Kim oversaw the test on Thursday as part of a five-year plan to modernize the national defense.

The exercise assessed the combat performance of an upgraded 24-tube 240mm multi-barrel rocket launcher, a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a special mission warhead, and a long-range 155mm self-propelled howitzer.

Leader Kim said the test showed "tremendous technological progress" achieved under the ruling Workers' Party's military modernisation policy.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a review of an improved missile and artillery test (Source: KCNA)

"The current international situation, where sovereignty can be maintained and existence is guaranteed only by absolute superiority of force, makes it unnecessary to add any rhetoric to explain why strengthening defense capabilities is the first and most necessary national strategic task," Kim said, quoted by Anadolu (26/6).

He also reiterated Pyongyang's policy aimed not only at strengthening its defense capabilities but also at building a "deadly and destructive offensive posture" that would deter potential enemies.

"We will make the enemy realize that the long-range attack means of our armed forces have been replaced with more advanced ones in the shortest possible time," said Leader Kim.

The upgraded multi-barrel rocket launcher now has a firing range of 90 kilometers (55.9 miles) and is equipped with an automatic fire control system with self-guided precision technology.

The special warhead of the tactical missile is designed to attack strategic targets, including airports, ports, and power plants. The new artillery shell has an effective range of 65 kilometers.