# Hwasong-7

The Hwasong-7 (Korean: 《화성-7》형; Hancha: 火星 7型; lit. Mars Type 7) is a single-stage, mobile liquid propellant medium-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea. Developed in the mid-1980s, it is a scaled-up adaptation of the Soviet R-17 Elbrus missiles, more commonly known by its NATO reporting name "Scud". The inventory is estimated to be around 200–300 missiles. US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimates that as of June 2017 fewer than 100 launchers were operationally deployed.
It influenced the design of Pakistan's Ghauri-1 missile, as well as the Iranian Shahab-3.

## Overview

It is believed North Korea obtained R-17 designs from Egypt, and possibly modified designs from China, allowing them to reverse-engineer them into a larger and longer-distance weapon. United States reconnaissance satellites first detected this type in May 1990 at the Musudan-ri test launch facility, in northeastern North Korea.
The precise capabilities and specifications of the missile are unknown; even the fact of its production and deployment are controversial. It is a larger variant of the R-17, scaled up so its cross-sectional area is about doubled, with a diameter of 1.25 metres (4 ft) and a length of 15.6 metres (51 ft).
Its aerodynamic design is stable, reducing the need for modern active stabilization systems while the missile is flying in the denser lower atmosphere. It can only be fueled when vertical, therefore it cannot be fueled before transport as is normal for modern missiles. Its range is estimated as 900 km (560 mi) with a 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) payload to 1,000–1,500 km (620–930 mi).
It has an estimated circular error probable (CEP) of 1–2 km (0.62–1.24 mi). With GPS guidance, accuracy is believed to be between 190 m (210 yd) and 1 km (0.62 mi). North Korea is believed to possess some 300 Hwasong-7 missiles and fewer than 50 mobile launchers.
The Hwasong-7's technology has been exported to foreign nations (such as Iran and Pakistan) in secrecy on the basis of mutual exchange of technologies, with Iran being one of the largest beneficiaries of such technology. Successful variants were tested and deployed by Iran after developing the Shahab-3 which is roughly based on Hwasong-7. Some press reports (including The Sunday Telegraph, Jerusalem Post, and Janes) claimed that Libya signed a contract for a total of 50 Nodong systems in October 1999, with the first batch delivered in July 2000, however such rumors proved to be false when Libya voluntarily dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs in December 2003 and invited foreign inspectors to verify the disarmament process. In that same year, US inspectors learned that Iraq attempted to buy Nodong missiles, but the North Koreans never delivered the missiles and refused to refund the $10 million down payment.
North Korea test-fired Hwasong-7 missiles in 2006 and 2014, in which North Korea fires two missiles that flew 650 km (400 mi).
Although it has an estimated range of 1,000–1,500 km (620–930 mi), launches in March 2014 flew only 650 km (400 mi). Their range was shortened by firing at a higher launch angle. The missiles flew to an altitude of 160 km (100 mi) at Mach 7 (8,600 km/h). U.S. and South Korean Patriot PAC-2/3 interceptors are more specialized to hit ballistic missiles up to 400 km (250 mi).
On 5 September 2016, North Korea fired three missiles into the Sea of Japan, these missiles achieved about 1,000 km (620 mi) range. Initially, these missiles were believed to be Hwasong-7, however, the actual missiles used for this launch were Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER). The United States strongly condemned the launch.
To enable interception at higher altitudes, South Korea is indigenously developing the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM), and on 8 July 2016 the U.S. agreed to deploy one Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system in Seongju County, in the south of South Korea, by the end of 2017.

### Variant for reconnaissance satellite testing

Hwasong-7 has a variant with white paint job for reconnaissance satellite cameras testing.
On 18 December 2022, North Korea launched two medium-range ballistic missiles from Sohae Satellite Launching Station. These missiles flew 500 km (310 mi) with an apogee of 550 km (340 mi).
According to North Korea, the missiles were test-fired by National Aerospace Technology Administration (then National Aerospace Development Administration) for testing reconnaissance satellite cameras.
Based on photos released by North Korea, the missiles appear to be derived from Hwasong-7 (or Hwasong-9).

## Operators
### Current

* Iran − Shahab-3 used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force
* North Korea − Used by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force
* Pakistan − Hatf 5 Ghauri used by the Army Strategic Forces Command

### Unconfirmed

* Egypt − Reportedly was interested in buying Nodong missiles, but photographic evidence only shows Scud-Bs or possibly Scud-Cs in use
* Syria − Developed a localized version of the Nodong missile. Reportedly received 50 missiles and 7 TELs from North Korea in 2000. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Syrian Arab Army doesn't operate MRBMs as of 2024

### Failed bids

* Iraq − Prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Baghdad placed an order for Nodong missiles and made a $10 million down payment, but North Korea never delivered the missiles