North Korea unveiled new strategic weapons at its Defense Development-2025 exhibition, held in anticipation of the Workers’ Party’s 80th anniversary. The display included two new types of 3,000-ton submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and two versions of supersonic cruise missiles.
A report titled, Analysis of New Weapons Revealed by North Korea at Defense Development-2025 – II, released on October 9 by Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party, indicates that the newly revealed strategic SLBMs appear larger than the existing Pukguksong-5 with blunter warheads, suggesting an increased payload capacity. Another SLBM, featuring a smaller diameter for vertical launch systems, is also believed to be intended for deployment on North Korea’s 3,000-ton tactical nuclear attack submarines and other nuclear-powered submarines under construction.
Intelligence indicates that North Korea is developing two types of supersonic cruise missiles, including one similar to Russia’s 3M-54E anti-ship missile. Should these new missiles attain the 200 km (about 124 miles) range of their Russian counterparts, they could potentially threaten South Korean naval assets operating near the northwest islands.
Rep. Yoo highlighted a potential capability gap, noting that South Korea’s integrated active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and electro-optical tracking system (EOTS) for intercepting supersonic anti-ship missiles, known as CIWS-II, is not scheduled for deployment until 2030.
Another supersonic cruise missile exhibited by North Korea appears to feature vertical control wings, suggesting advanced terminal phase maneuvering capabilities. This may indicate high-speed, erratic trajectories designed to evade low-altitude air defenses, pointing to North Korea’s effort to diversify its cruise missile technologies.
Rep. Yoo also analyzed recent images of the new North Korean destroyer Choe Hyon, noting significant upgrades to its weapons and internal systems since April. With Kim Jong Un ordering performance and operational capability evaluations to begin in October, similar technologies are expected to be applied to subsequent vessels like the Gang Geon once the Choe Hyon completes sea trials.
The destroyer’s vertical launch system (VLS) has been upgraded to a medium-sized 24-cell configuration, likely to increase cruise missile capacity and enhance its long-range strike capabilities against both land and naval targets. The older AK-630 close-in weapon system has been replaced with a new integrated defense system equipped with radar and EOTS.
Notably, photos of Kim’s inspection of the Choe Hyon revealed electronic charts of the West Sea, clearly displaying the Northern Limit Line (NLL). This presentation may be intended to signal long-range strike capabilities against South Korean naval forces operating near the NLL.
Rep. Yoo observed that while recognizing the propagandistic nature of these reveals, the combat information center and medical facilities aboard the Choe Hyon appear comparable to those on South Korean Aegis destroyers. The presence of Chinese-made medical equipment, combined with signs of Russian military technology transfer, suggests that North Korea is leveraging external resources in its naval modernization efforts.