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Flash News: North Korean Rocket Launcher Disguised as a Civilian Vehicle is Spotted in Russia.
According to the Milinfolive telegram channel, a North Korean 122mm Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), camouflaged as a civilian truck, has been observed in Russia. This system, previously unknown in this form, was spotted in a strategic area near the Russian border. This incident follows the first presentation of the system during the Pyongyang military parade on September 8, 2023, marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The North Korean MLRS is mounted on a civilian truck chassis. (Picture source: Telegram channel Milinfolive)
The North Korean MLRS is mounted on a civilian truck chassis, a choice intended to conceal the vehicle's true military nature. The truck appears entirely ordinary, a strategy designed to mask the heavy weaponry it carries. By altering its appearance, North Korea seems to be attempting to make it more difficult to detect the vehicle using satellites or conventional surveillance methods, thus making its deployment more discreet. This form of camouflage would be a tactic suited to bypassing sophisticated detection systems deployed by neighboring states, including Russia, and potentially other countries in the region.
The vehicle was first observed near the Russian border, suggesting a further strengthening of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. This military collaboration, which has been ongoing for several years, has intensified in recent months. The presence of this system in a border area raises questions about North Korea's strategic intentions and how this MLRS might be used within the context of Russo-North Korean military relations.
The 122mm multiple rocket launcher, unveiled during the Pyongyang parade in September 2023, is mounted on a modified truck chassis. The vehicle carries a six-tube launcher, capable of firing 122mm rockets similar to those used by the Soviet BM-21 Grad system, but adapted to North Korea's specific needs. This type of multiple rocket launcher allows for saturation fire, which can strike a large area in a very short amount of time. Its mobility, made possible by the civilian truck chassis, is a major asset, allowing it to move quickly and reposition without being easily detected.
The appearance of this system in Russia is not an isolated incident but rather a sign of the growing cooperation between North Korea and Russia in the military domain. In 2023, reports revealed that Russia and North Korea were strengthening their military ties, particularly through the exchange of military equipment and technologies. It is also known that North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to support Russian forces in Ukraine. These actions have fueled speculation about a deeper military alliance between the two nations, which could explain why this system was deployed in a region close to Russia.
Russia may seek to capitalize on North Korea's military expertise, particularly in the area of rocket systems and artillery. In return, North Korea could benefit from access to more advanced Russian military technologies, such as air defense systems and electronic warfare equipment. This cooperation could also serve as a way for Russia to diversify its sources of armament supply in the face of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
On the Russian side, this system could be used to bolster defense capabilities along its eastern borders, particularly in Siberia, a strategic region. The Russian military may also seek to use this type of rocket launcher for its own needs in the context of the war in Ukraine, relying on North Korean technology to bolster its stockpiles of weaponry.
The appearance of this North Korean system in Russia marks a new phase in the escalation of military tensions. This development, coupled with increased cooperation with Russia, could have significant repercussions on regional and global stability in the coming months and years.