Regarding DPRK's new missile, there is a growing possibility of China’s involvement in providing this erector-launcher to North Korea, breaching UN Security Council resolution 1874

Regarding DPRK's new missile, there is a growing possibility of China’s involvement in providing this transporter-erector-launcher(TEL) to North Korea, breaching UN Security Council resolution 1874. 

The transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle that was carrying the new missile spotted over the weekend is Chinese by design and possibly origin. As below… “If confirmed, China’s involvement in providing this erector-launcher to North Korea would put it in breach of UN Security Council resolution 1874…”  Please note we say “if confirmed”.    

1) Two experts available to answer questions:

·         James Hardy, Asia Pacific Editor, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly (in Europe right now)

·         Kosuke Takahashi, Tokyo Correspondent, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly (in Asia right now)

2) Analysis available for quote now:  

Ted Parsons, correspondent, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, says: “The 16-wheel TEL is apparently based on a design from the 9th Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), also known as the WanShan truck factory, which produces the WS series of TELs that are used to deploy CASIC’s DF-11, DF-16 and DF-21 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. The CASIC and North Korean TELs have the same windscreen design; the same four windscreen wiper configuration; the same door and handle design; a very similar grill area; almost the same front bumper lighting configuration; and the same design for the cabin steps. CASIC's involvement in North Korea's missile programme would require approval from the highest levels of the Chinese government and the People’s Liberation Army.”

James Hardy, Asia Pacific Editor, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, said: “If confirmed, China’s involvement in providing this erector-launcher to North Korea would put it in breach of UN Security Council resolution 1874, which prohibits supplying North Korea with ‘any arms or related materiel, or providing financial transactions, technical training, services, or assistance related to such arms’. The possibility that China is supporting North Korea’s strategic weapons programme complicates international efforts to negotiate with North Korea and could fatally undermine the six-party talks, which are hosted by China and are built on the premise that there is a unanimous desire to prevent the North from developing a nuclear capability.”

Doug Richardson’s, Editor, IHS Jane’s Missiles and Rockets, comments: “There is no obvious 'way in' to understanding it and estimating its performance. Right now, we don't even have a reliable estimate of the size, let alone evidence of whether it uses liquid or solid propellant. And we face the conundrum that like the earlier Musudan mobile missile, this beast seems to exist in quantity without ever having been test-flown either in North Korea or in Iran.”