PYONGYANG
North Korea recently celebrated its 70th-anniversary commemorations of the Korean War and the struggle against the United States and its allies. On this occasion, a massive military parade was held, which showcased its latest weaponry.
North Korea displayed its largest nuclear missiles, an underwater attack drone and its latest military drones at a military parade in Pyongyang on July 27, 2023. The US was warned of the approaching nuclear war by the country’s army chief.
The North Korean Authorities see this occasion as a victory over US-led allied forces in the 1950-1953 Korean War. It presents a chance for Pyongyang to emphasise the importance of the Cold War days when North Korean troops fought with the help of Chinese and Russian forces.
The latest “underwater nuclear attack drone” named the “Haeil” was presented at this parade for the first time, while an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) called Hwasong-12B harnessed with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), the Hwasong-17 liquid-fuel ICBM, and the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which were presented many times earlier, appeared again in the celebrations.
A new unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) which is designed to mimic the US, also appeared. Many reaper drones were also showcased on trailers through the square.
Short-range missiles made to carry micro version nuclear warheads set in motion the weapons lineup, such as cruise missiles, the 600mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) ( KN-25), cruise missiles, the Hwasong-11A (KN-23) and Hwasong-11B (KN-24) all were displayed on wheeled mobile launch vehicles.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also invited Chinese and Russian counterparts. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong were present on the “victory day”.
This Russian visit was the first by Moscow’s top defence official since the fall of the Soviet Union, however, the Chinese visit was the first since the COVID-19 pandemic.