• North Korea flexed its military muscle with the test of a huge new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile dubbed Hwasong-19, amid international uproar over its troops deployed to aid Russia in Ukraine.

• While questions remain over North Korea’s ability to guide such a missile and protect a nuclear warhead as it re-enters the atmosphere, the Hwasong-19, like North Korea’s other latest ICBMs, demonstrated the range to strike nearly anywhere in the United States.

• Most of the long range missiles were test fired on steep vertical trajectories, known as lofted trajectories.

• The Hwasong-19 will deploy alongside the Hwasong-18, which was first launched last year and is also powered by solid fuel.

• Solid-fuel missiles do not need to be fuelled immediately ahead of launch, are often easier and safer to operate and require less logistical support than liquid-fuel weapons.

• It can be stored and moved anywhere, allowing for excellent mobility, stealth and survivability.

• The Hwasong-19 flew 1,001.2 km for 85 minutes and 56 seconds before landing in the sea off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, with a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km.

What are Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles?

• Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) are advanced missile systems with a range exceeding 5,500 kilometers.

• They are specifically designed to deliver nuclear warheads but can also carry conventional, chemical, and biological weapons. However, the use of chemical and biological weapons on ICBMs is rare.

Key characteristics of ICBMs:

• Range: Greater than 5,500 kilometers, allowing them to strike targets across continents. 

• Payload: Primarily designed to deliver nuclear warheads, but capable of carrying other types of payloads. 

• Trajectory: Follow a ballistic trajectory, typically involving an initial powered phase, a midcourse phase in space, and a final reentry phase. 

Global Possession 

• United States: Has a significant number of ICBMs as part of its strategic nuclear arsenal. 

• Russia: Possesses a large and diverse ICBM force, including various models.

• China: Maintains an evolving ICBM capability as part of its nuclear strategy. 

• France: Operates a smaller but capable ICBM force. 

• India: Has developed and deployed its own ICBMs as part of its strategic deterrent. 

• United Kingdom: Deploys ICBMs as part of its nuclear deterrence strategy, typically using the Trident missile system. 

• Israel: Suspected to have ICBM capabilities, although the specifics are not publicly confirmed. 

Notable Absence:

• Pakistan: While Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state, it does not possess ICBMs. Its nuclear strategy relies on shorter-range ballistic missiles and other delivery systems. 

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)