The NHK-2 (Nike Hercules Korea II) is a South Korean, short-range, solid-fueled ballistic missile. It was the first ballistic missile indigenously produced in South Korea to be deployed. It has a standard range of 180 km, but with modification this can be increased to 250 km. The missile’s longer range and ability to carry a submunitions warhead differentiates it from the NHK-1.

NHK-2 Development

South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development began work on the NHK-2 shortly after its successful test of the NHK-1 ballistic missile in September 1978.¹ Like its predecessor, the NHK-2 derives its name from the U.S. MIM-14 Nike Hercules.²

Work on the missile program accelerated following a North Korean assassination attempt on South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan in 1983 and North Korea’s 1984 Scud missile test.³ South Korea conducted the first of three successful flight tests in 1985.⁴ Another of the three flight tests took place in September 1986.⁵ The missile was deployed in 1987.⁶

Specifications

The NHK-2 reportedly had a length of over 12 m, a diameter of 0.8 m, and a launch weight of approximately 5,400 kg. The missile was solid-fueled and two-staged.⁷ The missile was capable of carrying a 490 kg high explosive or submunitions warhead.⁸ As mandated by the 1979 US-ROK Memorandum of Agreement, the missile kept to a standard range of 180 km. However, simple modifications could increase its range to 250 km.⁹ The NHK-2’s longer range and ability to carry submunitions differentiates it from its NHK-1 predecessor.

Service History

Around 200 NHK-2 missiles were deployed in two South Korean Army battalions. These missiles have been stored in a reserve force since its replacement by the Hyunmoo-2A.¹⁰