In 2014, observers became aware of a North Korean variant of the Russian-designed Kh-35 antiship cruise missile (ASCM), now dubbed the Kumsong-3. How North Korea came to acquire the Kh-35 remains unclear. Conflicting reports suggest that North Korea may have acquired it from Myanmar, or from Russia directly.

The Kh-35’s range is between 130-250 kilometers, depending on the particular model. Although the exact capabilities of the North Korea’s Kumsong-3 variant are not yet fully known, North Korea’s employment of the missile represents a significant technological improvement in antiship and coastal defense capabilities in range, accuracy, and propulsion. Its existence adds a new threat dimension to naval and maritime activity in the Sea of Japan. North Korea’s only other antiship cruise is the aging KN-01, based on the Russian P-15 Termit and Chinese CSS-C-2 Silkworm.

Kumsong-3 Development / Acquisition

The Kumsong-3 first appeared in a DPRK propaganda video released in June 2014.¹ The first apparent test launch of the missile occurred on February 7, 2015, according an article published by North Korea’s state sponsored KCNA news agency.² The missile was reportedly fired from a patrol boat, and flew a range of 200 km.

In an April 15, 2017 military parade, North Korea displayed a four-canister cruise missile launcher on a tracked vehicle. The launcher displayed on that occasion is likely the ground-based launcher for the Kumsong-3.³

A second instance of flight tests possibly occurred on June 7, 2017, in which North Korea fired four antiship cruise missiles into the Sea of Japan, which also flew to a range of around 200 kilometers.⁴ Unlike the February 2015 test, the missiles were ground-launched rather than fired from a ship.

Numerous theories have arisen as to how North Korea came to possess the Kh-35. One report indicated that Russia may have sold a coastal defense version of the Kh-35 to North Korea in 2008.⁵ Russia has also sold Kh-35s to India, Vietnam, and Algeria. Others have speculated that North Korea acquired the missile from Myanmar, which uses the Kh-35 on its Aung Zeya-class frigates, and has exchanged military technology with North Korea in the past.⁶

Kumsong-3 Specifications

The Russian Kh-35 is a subsonic ASCM capable of flying as low as 10-14 meters while cruising. It measures 4.4 meters long with a diameter of 0.42 meters, and has a launch weight of 620 kg.

Russia has displayed two basic models of the Kh-35. The first version appeared in 1992, and has an estimated range of 130 km. The second version, displayed in 2009, is designated the Kh-35 Unified, or Kh-35(U). This newer variant is believed to have an extended range of up to 250 km.⁷

The Kumsong-3’s true range remains a matter of speculation. Both suspected test flights have reportedly achieved a range of 200 kilometers. This could suggest that the Kumsong-3 is based on the newer, longer-range Kh-35(U) variant. Alternatively, it could also indicate that North Korea tested a modified version of the older Kh-35 with an enhanced propulsion system, a lighter payload, or both. One initial analysis, however, suggested that the North Korean variant most closely resembles the newer Kh-35(U).⁸ Photographic analysis suggests that the Kumsong-3 differs from other variants in its booster and separation design, body length, and possibly adds an infrared terminal seeker. ⁹ According to The Diplomat, the Kumsong-3 variants tested on July 8, 2017, “successfully demonstrated waypoint maneuvers in flight at a range of 240 kilometers and featured…considerably upgraded seekers, comprising active radar and infrared homing for terminal guidance.”¹⁰