This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41174689

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
North Korea: What missiles does it have? North Korea: What missiles does it have?
(14 days later)
A man in Seoul watching news of a North Korean missile launchA man in Seoul watching news of a North Korean missile launch
North Korea has been causing alarm in the Pacific region with a sharp rise in the number of missile tests, including one that flew over Japan. North Korea has significantly increased the number of missile tests it has conducted this year, firing one with a range long enough to hit the US.
It's thought North Korea's military may soon test another nuclear device. It's thought North Korea's military may also be planning to test another nuclear device.
What missiles has North Korea been testing?What missiles has North Korea been testing?
North Korea has been testing a variety of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles. North Korea has been testing a variety of ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles. Hypersonic missiles fly at several times the speed of sound and at low altitude, to escape radar detection.
Hypersonic missiles fly at several times the speed of sound and at low altitude, to escape radar detection. The most recent ballistic missile tested was fired higher into space and on a shorter trajectory than usual. However, it could have reached the US mainland, the Japanese government says.
The missile fired over Japan in October is thought to have been an intermediate-range Hwasong-12, which has a range of 4,500km - far enough to hit the US island of Guam from North Korea. In October, North Korea fired a missile which passed over Japan - thought to have been the intermediate-range Hwasong-12. This can travel up to 4,500km - which would put the US island of Guam in the Pacific within range.
A more recent ballistic missile test is believed to have failed, and did not manage to pass over Japan.
"North Korea has been testing missiles with longer and longer ranges," says Joseph Byrne, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.
"It could be the precursor to it testing another nuclear warhead, which has been predicted for some time," he adds.
North Korea has also been testing the Hwasong-14 ballistic missile.North Korea has also been testing the Hwasong-14 ballistic missile.
Missiles on display at a January 2021 military parade
This has a range of 8,000km - although some studies have suggested it could travel as far as 10,000km, making it capable of reaching New York.This has a range of 8,000km - although some studies have suggested it could travel as far as 10,000km, making it capable of reaching New York.
It is the first of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).It is the first of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Missiles on display at a January 2021 military parade
The Hwasong-15 missile is believed to have a range of 13,000km, putting all of the continental US in its sights.The Hwasong-15 missile is believed to have a range of 13,000km, putting all of the continental US in its sights.
In October 2020, North Korea unveiled the latest of its ballistic missiles - the Hwasong-17. It is believed to have a range of 15,000km or more. In October 2020, North Korea unveiled the latest of its ballistic missiles - the Hwasong-17 - believed to have a range of 15,000km or more.
It could possibly carry three or four warheads, rather than only one - making it harder for a nation to defend itself.It could possibly carry three or four warheads, rather than only one - making it harder for a nation to defend itself.
Several attempts to launch the longer-range Hwasong-17 are thought to have failed, although it may have been used in a test carried out on 24 March this year.
The unveiling of the new missiles appeared to be a message to the Biden administration of the North's growing military prowess, say experts.The unveiling of the new missiles appeared to be a message to the Biden administration of the North's growing military prowess, say experts.
"North Korea has been testing missiles with longer and longer ranges," says Joseph Byrne, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.
"It could be the precursor to it testing another nuclear warhead, which has been predicted for some time," he adds.
In March 2021, it carried out a launch of what it called a "new-type tactical guided projectile", which it said was able to carry a payload of 2.5 tons - so capable in theory of carrying a nuclear warhead.In March 2021, it carried out a launch of what it called a "new-type tactical guided projectile", which it said was able to carry a payload of 2.5 tons - so capable in theory of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Analysts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies told Reuters that it appeared to be "an improved variant" of a previously tested missile, the KN-23.Analysts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies told Reuters that it appeared to be "an improved variant" of a previously tested missile, the KN-23.
What nuclear weapons does North Korea have?What nuclear weapons does North Korea have?
The last time North Korea tested a nuclear bomb was in 2017. The explosion at its Punggye-ri test site had a force, or "yield", of between 100-370 kilotons.The last time North Korea tested a nuclear bomb was in 2017. The explosion at its Punggye-ri test site had a force, or "yield", of between 100-370 kilotons.
A 100 kiloton bomb is six times more powerful than the one the US dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.A 100 kiloton bomb is six times more powerful than the one the US dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
North Korea claimed this was its first thermonuclear device - the most powerful of all types of atomic weapon.North Korea claimed this was its first thermonuclear device - the most powerful of all types of atomic weapon.
However, North Korea may now be aiming to test a smaller type of nuclear warhead with similar explosive force, according to Mr Byrne.However, North Korea may now be aiming to test a smaller type of nuclear warhead with similar explosive force, according to Mr Byrne.
"It seems they are now testing a new capability - a miniaturised warhead that can be fitted onto a range of missiles, including short-range missiles" he says."It seems they are now testing a new capability - a miniaturised warhead that can be fitted onto a range of missiles, including short-range missiles" he says.
Where could nuclear tests take place?
Six underground tests have previously been carried out at Punggye-ri. However, in 2018 North Korea said it would shut the site down, because it had "verified" its nuclear capabilities.Six underground tests have previously been carried out at Punggye-ri. However, in 2018 North Korea said it would shut the site down, because it had "verified" its nuclear capabilities.
Some of the tunnels into the site were subsequently blown up in the presence of foreign journalists. However, North Korea did not invite international experts to verify if it had been put beyond use.Some of the tunnels into the site were subsequently blown up in the presence of foreign journalists. However, North Korea did not invite international experts to verify if it had been put beyond use.
Satellite images released in March this year suggest work to renovate Punggye-ri had started.Satellite images released in March this year suggest work to renovate Punggye-ri had started.
Any future nuclear testing at the site would breach resolutions from the United Nations Security Council.Any future nuclear testing at the site would breach resolutions from the United Nations Security Council.
Restarting North Korea's nuclear reactorRestarting North Korea's nuclear reactor
In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a promise to then-US president Donald Trump that North Korea would destroy all its nuclear material enrichment facilities.In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a promise to then-US president Donald Trump that North Korea would destroy all its nuclear material enrichment facilities.
However, the UN's atomic energy agency, the IAEA, says satellite images suggest that North Korea had restarted the reactor which makes its weapons-grade plutonium.However, the UN's atomic energy agency, the IAEA, says satellite images suggest that North Korea had restarted the reactor which makes its weapons-grade plutonium.
In September, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said there were signs that a nuclear test site was now open again.In September, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said there were signs that a nuclear test site was now open again.
He added: "We have observed indications of the operation of facilities and of construction work at the Yongbyon site, as well as activities at other locations."He added: "We have observed indications of the operation of facilities and of construction work at the Yongbyon site, as well as activities at other locations."
The IAEA has not had physical access to North Korea's nuclear facilities since April 2009.The IAEA has not had physical access to North Korea's nuclear facilities since April 2009.
Read more from Reality CheckRead more from Reality Check
Send us your questionsSend us your questions