Hwasong-6
Short-range ballistic missile
title: "Hwasong-6" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["ballistic-missiles-of-north-korea", "north-korea–soviet-union-relations", "tactical-ballistic-missiles-of-north-korea", "chemical-weapon-delivery-systems", "military-equipment-introduced-in-the-1990s"] description: "Short-range ballistic missile" topic_path: "history/military" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwasong-6" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Short-range ballistic missile ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Hwasong-6 |
| image | Hwasong 6.jpg |
| image_size | 50 |
| caption | Artist rendition of the missile |
| type | Short range ballistic missile |
| origin | North Korea |
| is_ranged | yes |
| is_artillery | yes |
| is_missile | yes |
| service | 1992−Present |
| used_by | See operators |
| wars | Yemeni civil war (2014–present) |
| production_date | 1990−2000? |
| variants | See variants |
| length | 10.94 m |
| diameter | 88 cm |
| max_range | 500-550 km |
| filling | HE, cluster munition |
| filling_weight | 700-770 kg |
| accuracy | 700-1000 m CEP |
| launch_platform | MAZ-543 TEL |
| :: |
| name = Hwasong-6 | image = Hwasong 6.jpg | image_size = 50 | alt = | caption = Artist rendition of the missile | type = Short range ballistic missile | origin = North Korea | is_ranged = yes | is_bladed = | is_explosive = | is_artillery = yes | is_vehicle = | is_missile = yes | is_UK = | service = 1992−Present | used_by = See operators | wars = Yemeni civil war (2014–present) | designer = | design_date = | manufacturer = | developed_from = | developed_into = | unit_cost = | production_date = 1990−2000? | number = | variants = See variants | spec_label = | mass = | length = 10.94 m | part_length = | width = | height = | diameter = 88 cm | crew = | passengers = | cartridge = | cartridge_weight = | caliber = | barrels = | action = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = 500-550 km | feed = | sights = | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse = | blade_type = | hilt_type = | sheath_type = | head_type = | haft_type = | filling = HE, cluster munition | filling_weight = 700-770 kg | detonation = | yield = | armour = | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = | engine_power = | pw_ratio = | payload_capacity = | drive = | transmission = | suspension = | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = | speed = | guidance = | steering = | wingspan = | propellant = | ceiling = | altitude = | boost = | depth = | accuracy = 700-1000 m CEP | launch_platform = MAZ-543 TEL | transport = | ref =
The Hwasong-6 () is a North Korean tactical ballistic missile. It is derived from the Hwasong-5, itself a derivative of the Soviet R-17 Elbrus. It carries the NATO reporting name Scud.
History
Work on an extended-range version of the Hwasong-5 began around 1984, and with only relatively minor modifications, a new type was produced from 1989, designated Hwasong-6 ("Scud Mod. C" or "Scud-C"). It was first tested in June 1990, and entered full-scale production the same year, or in 1991. It is likely out of production. The North Koreans would later use their acquired know-how to produce domestic copies of the Scud-B to create a larger missile, the Hwasong-7.
To increase range over its predecessor, the Hwasong-6 has its payload decreased to 770 kg and the length of the rocket body extended to increase the propellant by 25%; accuracy is 700-1000 m circular error probability (CEP). Such range is sufficient to strike targets as far away as western Japan. Its dimensions are identical to the original Hwasong-5. Due to difficulties in procuring MAZ-543 TELs, mobile launchers were produced in North Korea. By 1999, North Korea was estimated to have produced 600 to 1,000 Hwasong-6 missiles, of which 25 had been launched in tests, 300 to 500 had been exported, and 300 to 600 were in service with the Korean People's Army.
The Hwasong-6 is armed with a high-explosive (HE) fragmentation or cluster warhead, but it's believed that it can also carry a nuclear, chemical, or biological warhead.
Before the 2015 Houthi takeover in Yemen, the country didn't have a domestic missile program, and had only a small stockpile of Soviet-made Scud-B and North Korean Hwasong-6 missiles bought in the 1980s and 1990s. These were used against the pro-Hadi forces in the summer of that year. Since then, the Houthis have used domestically produced ballistic missiles with Iranian assistance.
Variants
Iran
- Shahab-2 Main article: Shahab-2
North Korea
- KN-18 Main article: KN-18
Yemen
- Burkan-2 Main article: Burkan-2
Export
The Hwasong-6 was exported to Iran, where it is designated as the Shahab-2, to Syria, where it is manufactured under licence with Chinese assistance and to Yemen. Myanmar also imported Hwasong-6 ballistic missiles in 2009. About 25 Hwasong-6 ballistic missiles were purchased by Vietnam from North Korea in 1997. In 1995, Libya purchased 5 Hwasong-6 missiles from North Korea, however they were never tested or deployed, and planned local production was cancelled in 2003 with the disarmament of Libya.
Operators
Current
- − Reportedly purchased in 1996, unconfirmed
- − Produced locally as the Shahab-2. Status uncertain
- − Reported
- − 30+ Hwasong 5/6 launchers as of 2024
- − Scud-C
- − Scud-C
Non-state
- Hezbollah − Scud-C (reported)
Former
- Libya
- − Pre-war stocks depleted during the Yemeni civil war (2014–present). Most were converted into Burkan missiles by the Houthis
References
Bibliography
References
- (2016-08-08). "Hwasong-6 (Scud-C)". [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]].
- Bermudez, Joseph S.. (1999). "A History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK: Longer Range Designs, 1989-Present". James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
- (4 August 2015). "Houthis using missiles 'supplied by N Korea': Report claims". [[Al Arabiya]] English.
- (2010-07-13). "Junta Forms Missile Force to Guard Against External treats".
- "Trade Registers".
- (16 June 2023). "After half a century Egypt’s Scuds soldier on". [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] (IISS).
- (4 September 2022). "Houthi Drone And Missile Handbook".
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